Rashid Khan sacked from Afghanistan's T20I captaincy role (Source: AFP)
As reported earlier, Rashid Khan has been sacked from Afghanistan’s T20I captaincy duties. To replace him, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) picked Ibrahim Zadran as they confirmed their white-ball squads for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
Rashid became Afghanistan’s T20I captain back in September 2019. Overall, as a captain, he claimed 80 wickets in 48 matches, averaging 13.51 with an economy rate of 5.84.
On the other hand, Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue working as Afghanistan’s ODI captain, with Rahmat Shah being picked as their vice-captain. Among notable absentees, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Ishaq, who were in the Afghanistan squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, did not get a place in either of the squads.
In other significant developments, Fareed Ahmad Malik, who last played a T20I match for Afghanistan in November 2025 and an ODI match in December 2024, has been included in both squads. Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi is the only Afghan player to receive his maiden call-up for the country among either squads.
ACB’s Chief Selector Opens Up On Rashid Khan
While there were numerous reports that Rashid Khan would resign after Afghanistan’s forgettable T20 World Cup, the ACB Chief Selector, Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, confirmed it was a collective decision to replace Rashid Khan as a T20I leader. At the same time, he also thanked the Afghanistan ace for putting up immense contribution throughout the years.
“Rashid Khan’s tenure as the T20I captain brought immense success to the team, particularly highlighted by the team’s remarkable journey in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, where we reached the semi-finals. 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,” Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said in a statement.
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Moreover, the ACB chief explained why they decided to go ahead with 24-year-old Ibrahim Zadran, stating that he was Rashid’s deputy for some time, and now, he will be the right man to succeed him.
“In addition, our long-term goal is to adequately prepare the team for the upcoming two World Cup events. We are hopeful that, under this new leadership, the National Team will not only flourish but also showcase outstanding performances and build a strong and competitive bench strength for the crucial challenges that lie ahead,” Sulimankhil added.
Afghanistan’s T20I Squad For Sri Lanka Series
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.
Afghanistan’s ODI Squad For Sri Lanka Series
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.
Afghanistan will play Sri Lanka three T20Is and as many ODIs, scheduled to take place in the UAE between March 13 and March 25. However, due to the current Middle East tension, it is still unsure where the venue will be shifted.
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