Afghanistan’s fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has officially been ruled out of the impending three-match series of T20I matches that Afghanistan will contest against the West Indies, in addition to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 competition, which will start in one month. Naveen-ul-Haq has reportedly been scheduled to undergo surgery in one month, though there has not yet been an announcement regarding his injury.
There is no selection by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in place of Naveen ul-Haq in the T20 World Cup squad, while AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, and Zia-Ur Rahman Sharifi were shortlisted among the reserve players.
Injuries: More Setback for Naveen
This adds another disappointing chapter to the injury-ridden career of Naveen-ul-Haq. The pacer has not been playing for Afghanistan since December 2024.
Current Playing Record
- Featured in SA20 2025
- Played in MLC USA
- Missed Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury
- Made a comeback in ILT20, playing for MI Emirates, remains his last competitive appearance.
This is indeed a huge setback for Naveen and Afghanistan’s bowling plans with the T20 World Cup around the bend.
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Rashid Khan Leaves SA20 to Lead Afghanistan
In one of the most surprising turns of events, Rashid Khan has left MI Cape Town (MICT) in the midst of the SA20 2026 leg to represent Afghanistan in international cricket. Rashid Khan will lead Afghanistan in the upcoming series of T20 Internationals against the West Indies. Consequently, Kieron Pollard has been named as his replacement in the MICT squad for the remaining duration of the SA20 season.
MI Cape Town Struggle in SA20 2026
Defending champions MI Cape Town are currently enduring a difficult campaign:
2 wins and 5 losses from 8 matches
Bottom of the points table
Mujeeb Ur Rahman has also exited the tournament, leaving Paarl Royals
Despite the team’s struggles, Rashid Khan was MICT’s most economical bowler:
Economy rate: 7.92
Wickets: 6
Batting strike rate: 171.42 (36 runs off 21 balls)
Pollard’s Role and Captaincy Update
Although Kieron Pollard joins MICT from leading MI Emirates to the second position in ILT20, he will not be taking on the responsibility of leading the team as his captaincy stint in SA20 2024 resulted in MICT finishing at the bottom of the table.
Pollard’s Recent Form
225 runs in ILT20
Strike rate: 141.50
15 sixes, joint third-most in the tournament
MI Cape Town are expected to announce a new captain soon.
Van der Dussen and Rickelton Lead Captaincy Race
Two senior players are frontrunners to replace Rashid Khan as MICT captain:
Rassie van der Dussen
Ryan Rickelton
Rickelton has been exceptional this season:
324 runs
Strike rate: 167.01
Two centuries (both 113 runs) against Durban’s Super Giants and Joburg Super Kings
ALSO READ: MIW vs UPW WPL 2026: UP Warriors End Losing Streak With 7-Wicket Win Over Mumbai Indians
