Afghanistan Aims High in T20 World Cup 2026
All-rounder Gulbadin Naib has expressed that Afghanistan plans to make the most of their “second home” in India during the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. In the previous World Cup in 2024, the Afghan team made headlines by reaching the semi-finals after a stunning victory over Australia. However, they faced a tough challenge from South Africa, who eliminated them with a nine-wicket victory.
Having experienced a semi-final run, Afghanistan now carries high expectations. Naib, a seasoned player with over a decade in the sport, stated that the team is focused on improvement rather than pressure. Their aim is to go further than last time and strive for the championship title.
Currently playing in the ILT20, Naib noted that Afghan players are well-prepared for the Indian conditions, thanks to their experience in the Indian Premier League and other international leagues.
“There’s no special pressure. T20 cricket is all about how you prepare and perform. It really suits our team,” Gulbadin said during a conversation arranged by Dubai Capitals.
“Our players are competing in leagues worldwide, which is a big advantage for us. With the T20 World Cup in India, it really feels like home. We’ve played in various places like Dehradun and Lucknow, and many Afghan players have significant IPL experience,” he added.
Naib emphasized that adapting to Indian conditions would not be a major hurdle for the team. He acknowledged the high expectations from fans but reiterated that the focus remains on the game itself. “If we can elevate our performance by just 10%, it could greatly impact our results,” he said.
World Cup Focus
Afghanistan has had an eventful year in T20 cricket. After missing out on the tri-series final in the UAE, where they faced Pakistan, they exited the Asia Cup at the first hurdle with losses against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, they quickly rebounded with a clean sweep against Zimbabwe and a victory over Qatar.
Naib pointed out that the team is always thinking about the upcoming T20 World Cup. He mentioned that integrating new players like Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli into the squad has been a crucial part of their strategy during recent matches.
“Yes, we faced some challenges along the way. Introducing younger players helps shape the team for the World Cup. Although we didn’t make it to the tri-series final or the Asia Cup semi-finals, it’s all part of our plan. Our focus is on the T20 World Cup and giving opportunities to new talent,” Naib explained.
In the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan is grouped with New Zealand, South Africa, the UAE, and Canada. Their campaign will kick off against New Zealand on Sunday, February 8, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
