Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced young fast bowler Zia-ur-Rahman Sharifi as Naveen Ul Haq's replacement for the T20 World Cup 2026 and upcoming T20I series against West Indies. The announcement came right after Naveen Ul Haq was ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies as well as T20 World Cup due to a serious injury.
Afghanistan reveal Naveen Ul Haq's replacement for T20 World Cup
According to a statement from ACB, medical assessments confirmed that Naveen sustained a stress fracture in his right shoulder. To address the injury, he is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom for surgery. The procedure and subsequent recovery will be managed by a specialized medical team, ensuring he receives elite care during his time away from the pitch.
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The squad reshuffle has seen Sharifi promoted from his original role as a reserve player to a full member of the primary squad for both the bilateral series and the World Cup. To fill the vacancy in the support group, left-arm fast bowler Farid Ahmad Malik has been officially added to the reserve pool.
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Afghanistan meet West Indies in T20 World Cup dress rehearsal
Afghanistan’s immediate focus shifts to their series against the West Indies, which is set to begin on January 19. This opening clash will be followed quickly by the second and third matches on January 21 and January 22, providing a critical testing ground for the new-look bowling attack before the World Cup begins.
Afghanistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026, West Indies series:
Rashid Khan (Captain), Ibrahim Zadran (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Abdullah Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai