The Afghanistan cricket team had a disappointing run in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, exiting in the group stage. Following this, significant questions arose regarding the leadership and structure of the team, prompting the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to make a decisive change. Rashid Khan has been relieved of his captaincy responsibilities. The ACB announced the new squad for the upcoming ODI and T20 series against Sri Lanka and appointed opener Ibrahim Zadran as the new T20 team captain.

Ibrahim Zadran, who had been serving as Rashid Khan's deputy, has now been entrusted with the full-time captaincy of the T20 format. The chief selector of ACB, Ahmad Shah Soleimani, expressed gratitude for Rashid Khan's contributions while wishing Zadran success in his new role. This change in leadership reflects a broader shift in the team’s structure as the ACB looks to revitalize a team that performed below expectations in the World Cup.

Following the team's early exit, ACB's CEO Nazib Khan hinted at the possibility of structural and leadership changes. The removal of Rashid Khan from the captaincy is seen as a significant move in response to the team's lackluster performance. As Afghanistan prepares for the upcoming series, all eyes will be on Ibrahim Zadran to see how he leads a team looking to regain its stature in international cricket.