Afghanistan have announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on March 13 in Sharjah. Ahead of the series, there has been a leadership change in the T20I side and several notable squad adjustments, with Ibrahim Zadran being appointed as the new captain of Afghanistan’s T20I team. The talented opening batter replaces long-time leader Rashid Khan, who had previously led the side in the shortest format. 

“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. 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," ACB chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said.

This leadership transition comes just days after the appointment of experienced coach Richard Pybus as Afghanistan’s new head coach. Afghanistan’s T20I squad features a few surprising omissions compared with the team that played in the recent Men's T20 World Cup. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Ishaq have all been left out of the squad for this series. 

Following the T20Is, Afghanistan will also play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starting on March 20. In the ODI squad, Fareed Ahmad Malik has made his comeback. Meanwhile, fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi has received his maiden call-up to the ODI squad. In ODIs, Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the team. 

Afghanistan T20I squad: 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, Abdullah Ahmadzai.

Reserves: Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami and Ijaz Ahmadzai

Afghanistan ODI squad: 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, Bilal Sami

Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Bashir Ahmad