Afghanistan's cricket board has removed Rashid Khan from his position as T20I captain following the team's group-stage elimination from the 2026 T20 World Cup. Ibrahim Zadran, previously his deputy, has been named the new leader. The decision aims to support a transition in the team's setup ahead of future tournaments.
Rashid Khan, renowned for his spin bowling in T20 cricket, was sacked on Thursday after Afghanistan failed to advance beyond the group stage at the T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka. The team suffered defeats against New Zealand and South Africa, despite victories over the UAE and Canada, which were insufficient for Super 8 qualification.
Ibrahim Zadran will assume captaincy starting with the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on Friday, March 13. Several players from the World Cup squad, including left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, have been excluded from this series.
During his tenure, Khan captained Afghanistan in 48 T20I matches, securing 26 wins and 21 losses. His most notable success came in 2024, when he guided the team to the semi-finals of that year's T20 World Cup, though they fell short against South Africa in the knockout stage.
Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil explained the move in a statement: “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.”
Sulimankhil added that Zadran's appointment aligns with preparations for upcoming World Cups, expressing confidence in building team strength. The board is also monitoring the situation in West Asia, with discussions ongoing about the Sri Lanka series, though it plans to proceed as scheduled unless circumstances change.
The announced T20I squad includes Zadran as captain, alongside players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan himself, who remains in the team.
