espncricinfo Afghanistan have named Ibrahim Zadran as their new T20I captain, replacing Rashid Khan, ahead of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting March 13 (ET). The Afghanistan Cricket Board has moved leadership as Richard Pybus begins his tenure as head coach and announced full T20I and ODI squads. ACB chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil framed the decision as part of a long-term strategic vision and management changes.
Espncricinfo: Squads and the captaincy switch
The ACB confirmed Ibrahim Zadran will lead the T20I side while the ODI captaincy sits with Hashmatullah Shahidi. The T20I squad announced is: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Rahman, 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.
The ODI roster named is: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, 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. The tour schedule includes three ODIs beginning on March 20 (ET).
Immediate reactions
Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, Chief Selector of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, addressed the leadership change: “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 semifinals. 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. “
The selection panel left out several players who featured at the recent T20 World Cup: Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Ishaq were excluded from both squads. In their places the T20I list includes Noor Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, and Fareed Ahmad, while the ODI group sees the return of Fareed Ahmad Malik and a maiden call-up for fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
What’s next
The series starting March 13 (ET) will be Afghanistan’s first competitive fixtures since the end of their T20 World Cup campaign; the side had exited at the group stage of the ongoing tournament after a strong run to the semifinals in 2024. Both teams will use the white-ball fixtures as immediate match practice with the next World Cup cycle in view. Observers will track Ibrahim Zadran’s leadership, the integration of new faces, and how the team responds under head coach Richard Pybus (espncricinfo) as the ODIs begin on March 20 (ET).
