Afghanistan announces squad for Sri Lanka white-ball series: Ibrahim Zadran replaces Rashid Khan as T20I captain
Rashid Khan was on Thursday removed as captain of Afghanistan’s T20I team, with his deputy Ibrahim Zadran set to take over from the white-ball series against Sri Lanka.
“In alignment with the ACB’s long-term strategic vision and following recent changes in our team management, including the appointment of a new head coach, we have made the thoughtful decision to transition the leadership within the T20I setup,” ACB Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said.
Left-arm pacer Fazal Haq Farooqi, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, who were part of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, have also been left out.
“Top-order wicket-keeper batter, Noor Rahman, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf, and left-arm fast bowler Fareed Ahmad have been selected for the T20I squad. Additionally, Fareed Ahmad Malik makes his comeback to the ODI squad, while fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi receives his maiden call-up for the ODI team,” a statement from Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee read.
Bilal Sami, who picked up a five-wicket haul and grabbed the Player of the Match award in his last ODI outing, retains his place in the One-Day and has also been added to the reserves pool in the T20I squad.
Alongside Bilal, Nangyal Kharoti and Ijaz Ahmadzai will be part of the T20I reserves, while Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, and Qais Ahmad have been named among the ODI reserves.
AFGHANISTAN SQUADS
T20I: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Noor Rahman (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Reserves: Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami, and Ijaz Ahmadzai.
ODI: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and Bilal Sami.
Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, and Bashir Ahmad.
Escalating tension in the Middle East
Meanwhile, the ACB has said it is also closely monitoring the ongoing situation in West Asia and engaging in discussions with all stakeholders about whether the series can proceed as originally planned.
The Afghanistan-Sri Lanka series is scheduled to take place between March 13 to 25. The sides are supposed to play three T20Is followed by as many 50-over games.
Published on Mar 05, 2026
