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ACB names squads for white-ball series against Sri Lanka; Ibrahim Zadran appointed T20I captain

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The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced Afghanistan’s squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, introducing a leadership change in the T20I format and several notable inclusions and omissions.

Top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed as the new captain of Afghanistan’s T20I side, replacing star all-rounder Rashid Khan, who previously led the team in the format. Zadran had earlier served as vice-captain and now takes over the leadership as part of a strategic transition by the ACB.

Several players who featured in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad have been left out of both formats, including left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq.

Meanwhile, top-order wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman, spin-bowling all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf, and left-arm pacer Fareed Ahmad Malik have been included in the T20I squad. Fareed Ahmad also returns to the ODI side. Fast bowler Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi has received his maiden call-up to the ODI squad.

Young pacer Bilal Sami, who claimed a five-wicket haul and earned Player of the Match in his most recent ODI appearance, has retained his place in the ODI squad and has also been named among the T20I reserves.

For the T20Is, Bilal Sami will be joined in the reserves by Nangyal Kharoti and Ijaz Ahmadzai. In the ODI reserves, Bashir Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, and Qais Ahmad have been included.

ACB Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil praised Rashid Khan’s leadership, highlighting Afghanistan’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as a major achievement during his tenure.

“Rashid Khan’s tenure as the T20I captain brought immense success to the team,” Sulimankhil said. “In alignment with the ACB’s long-term strategic vision and following recent changes in team management, including the appointment of a new head coach, we have made the thoughtful decision to transition the leadership within the T20I setup.”

He added that Zadran’s experience as vice-captain made him a natural choice to lead the side moving forward, while the board remains focused on preparing the national team for upcoming global tournaments and strengthening squad depth.

The ODI team will continue to be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, with Rahmat Shah serving as vice-captain.

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.

Reserves: Nangyal Kharoti, Bilal Sami, Ijaz 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.

Reserves: Qais Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad.

Meanwhile, the ACB said it is closely monitoring the situation in the region and remains in discussions with stakeholders regarding the scheduling and venue of the series. While the board’s initial plan is to proceed with the originally scheduled dates, alternative options for the host country and schedule may be considered if necessary.

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Afghanistan, Uzbekistan set for friendly cricket clash in Khost

The match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.

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The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that it will host Uzbekistan’s national cricket team for a one-off T20 international on July 10 at the Rahmat Wali Masroori Cricket Ground in Khost province.

According to the ACB, the match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.

The friendly match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM, with an Afghan XI taking on the visiting Uzbek side. The game will be broadcast live across Afghanistan and internationally through various linear and digital platforms.

Quoted by the ACB, Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan said the board remains committed to supporting emerging cricket nations such as Uzbekistan and is ready to extend similar assistance to other countries seeking to develop the sport.

He noted that the ACB has already organized capacity-building programs and training workshops for members of the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan, while several Uzbek fast bowlers also participated in the ACB’s specialized Fast Bowling Camp last year.

Khan added that Uzbekistan has consistently maintained a friendly policy toward Afghanistan and that the two countries have strengthened cooperation in healthcare, politics, and trade in recent years. He said closer collaboration in cricket development would further deepen relations between the two neighboring nations.

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Serbian Dejan Dedovic appointed head coach of Afghanistan national futsal team

Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.

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The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has appointed Serbian coach Dejan Dedovic as the new head coach of the national futsal team on a two-year contract.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by AFF officials, futsal committee members, technical staff, and sports journalists.

Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.

The federation also announced several additions to the national team’s coaching staff. Iran’s Javad Asghari Moqaddam has been appointed technical director, while Morteza Mansour Samaei will serve as goalkeeping coach. Spain’s Uriel Masana has joined as assistant coach, Iran’s Sadeq Amani as fitness coach, and Brazil’s Joao Lira as team analyst.

In addition, the AFF renewed the contract of Mohammad Nasir Sedaqat as manager of the national futsal team.

The federation said it expects the newly assembled coaching staff to contribute to the continued development of Afghan futsal and strengthen the team’s competitiveness at the regional and international levels.

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India clinch ODI series against Afghanistan

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The India national cricket team defeated Afghanistan in the third and final One Day International (ODI), sealing the series with a 9-wicket victory and lifting the series trophy.

Afghanistan won the toss in the final match and opted to bat first.

Batting first, Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs, setting India a target of 219 runs.

Hashmatullah Shahidi played a superb innings, scoring 102 runs off 131 deliveries, anchoring the Afghan batting effort.

In reply, India made light work of the chase, reaching 219 for the loss of just one wicket in 28.4 overs, completing a dominant run chase.

India had already taken an unassailable lead in the series by winning the first ODI by 7 wickets and the second by 170 runs, before sealing a comprehensive 3–0 series sweep in the final match.

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