Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed the new T20I captain of the Afghanistan national cricket team for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka national cricket team. The decision was announced by the Afghanistan Cricket Board after the team’s disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where Afghanistan were eliminated in the league stage. Zadran replaces star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who previously led the team in the format.
Zadran had been serving as vice-captain and now steps into the leadership role as part of broader changes within the team following the tournament. Explaining the decision, chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said, “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.”He added that the move is part of a long-term plan for the team’s future. “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,” he continued.“Ibrahim Zadran, who has served as Rashid Khan’s deputy, will assume the role as Afghanistan’s regular captain in this format. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rashid Khan for his valuable contributions and wish Ibrahim Zadran every success in this important new role.”The squad has also seen several changes, with players like Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Ishaq left out. Meanwhile, new names such as Noor Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Fareed Ahmad have been included in the T20I squad.“In addition, our long-term goal is to adequately prepare the team for the upcoming two World Cup events,” he remarked. “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.”Meanwhile, the ACB said it is monitoring the regional situation due to the Israel–Iran conflict. The board added, “Although a final decision will be made in a couple of days, the ACB’s initial approach, in coordination with the ECB and venue authorities, is to proceed with the originally scheduled dates. Should circumstances necessitate a change, the ACB will consider exploring alternative options for both the host country and the event schedule.”
