Ibrahim Zadran replaces Rashid Khan as Afghanistan’s T20I captain

Ibrahim Zadran replaces Rashid Khan as Afghanistan's T20I captain

Opening batter Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed as Afghanistan's new T20I captain, the Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday while announcing their squads for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

The ACB had been contemplating removing Rashid Khan from leadership duties following Afghanistan's exit from the T20 World Cup. With the Sri Lanka series approaching, the board has elevated Zadran, previously the T20I vice-captain, to the role.

The board has also made changes to the personnel for the upcoming series. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Ishaq have not been considered for either the ODI or T20I squads despite recently being part of the World Cup. Top-order wicket-keeper batter Noor Rahman, left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf and left-arm fast bowler Fareed Ahmad have been picked in the T20I squad, while Fareed Ahmad Malik makes a comeback into the ODI setup.

Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, who featured in three of Afghanistan's four T20 World Cup matches, has received his maiden call-up to the ODI squad.

T20I Squad: Ibrahim Zadran (c), 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.

ODI Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), 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.

The ACB confirmed it is monitoring the regional situation, as the series is scheduled for Sharjah and Dubai. The board stated it is engaging with stakeholders to decide if the series can proceed as planned, with a final decision expected soon. The initial approach is to proceed with the scheduled dates, but alternative options will be considered if necessary.

The three T20Is are scheduled for March 13, 15, and 17, with the ODIs set for March 20, 22, and 25.