Afghanistan Cricket has made a significant move in its leadership, with Ibrahim Zadran being appointed the new Afghanistan T20I skipper, replacing Rashid Khan, in a move that comes after Afghanistan failed to progress to the knockout stage in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.
In a statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed that Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed the new skipper, and this move is part of the board’s long-term plan for the Afghanistan cricket team.
Ibrahim Zadran’s first task as the new Afghanistan T20I skipper is a three-match T20I series against the Sri Lanka national cricket team, starting on March 13 in Sharjah, and a three-match ODI series in Dubai later in the month.
Series in UAE Under Review Due to Regional Conflict
The Afghanistan-Sri Lanka series is scheduled to take place in the UAE, but the disruptions in traveling due to the military tensions in the region have put the series in a state of uncertainty.
According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board, some of the airspace routes in the region have been closed. The ACB is working in cooperation with the Emirates Cricket Board to see if the series can take place as scheduled.
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Though the initial plan is to stick to the existing dates and venues, it has been mentioned that other countries can be chosen as the host venues if the need arises.
Ibrahim Zadran’s Leadership Experience and T20I Record
At just 24 years of age, Ibrahim Zadran possesses considerable leadership experience in the shortest format of the game. Prior to his appointment as Afghanistan’s T20I skipper, Ibrahim had led Afghanistan in 11 T20I matches.
The opening batter is also Afghanistan’s most consistent performer in the shortest format. In 65 innings in T20 internationals for Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran has scored 1,865 runs in T20 internationals at an average of 33.30 and a strike rate of 114.83, making him Afghanistan’s fourth-highest run-getter in T20 internationals.
The ACB commended Rashid Khan’s stint as Afghanistan’s skipper but stated that the decision to appoint a new skipper is in line with their overall strategic plans and new team management structure.
New Coaching Era with Richard Pybus
This leadership change comes at the same time as the appointment of Richard Pybus as the new head coach of Afghanistan cricket. Richard Pybus takes over as the new head coach of Afghanistan, replacing Jonathan Trott, marking the start of a new era for the Afghan cricket team. The upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka will be the first assignment for Richard Pybus as the head coach of Afghanistan cricket.
Changes in Afghanistan’s T20I Squad
Changes have been made to the T20I squad of Afghanistan after the World Cup. One of the most notable changes is that the team has omitted Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Ishaq from the team.
However, the new inclusions in the team include:
Noor ul Rahman – Uncapped Wicket-Keeper Batter
Sharafuddin Ashraf – Left-Arm Spin All-Rounder
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Fareed Ahmad Malik – Left-Arm Seamer
However, the star spinner Rashid Khan is an integral part of the team despite stepping down as the skipper.
ODI Team Leadership Remains Unchanged
However, the leadership in the ODI team will not change. Hashmatullah Shahidi will continue to lead the ODI team, and Rahmat Shah will continue to be his vice-captain.
Young fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, who replaced the injured Naveen-ul-Haq in the T20 World Cup squad, has been called up to the ODI squad.
In addition, young pacer Bilal Sami, who took five wickets in the match against the Bangladesh national cricket team in Abu Dhabi last year, has retained his position in the ODI squad.
Afghanistan’s T20I Squad
Ibrahim Zadran (captain), 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, Abdullah Ahmadzai
Reserves: Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami, Ijaz Ahmadzai
Afghanistan’s ODI Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), 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, Bilal Sami
Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad
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