Rashid Khan Drops Bombshell on Afghanistan Captaincy Exit, Reveals How He Learned About Shock Decision

Rashid Khan has revealed that Afghanistan’s cricket board did not directly inform him about his removal as T20I captain, saying he discovered the decision only after the squad announcement.

 

Rashid was replaced by opener Ibrahim Zadran following Afghanistan’s early exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup. Speaking to Cricinfo, Rashid Khan said,

 

“Even I don’t know what exactly happened at that time. I came to know [about the captaincy change] when the board announced it."

 

Rashid reflects on leadership record

 

The captaincy change came despite Rashid’s overall record in the shortest format. He led Afghanistan in 48 T20Is, recording 26 victories and 22 defeats. Asghar Afghan has a superior win-loss record among Afghanistan’s T20I captains.

 

Rashid also pointed to achievements from his time in charge while accepting that the leadership chapter had ended during his tenure. Afghanistan defeated West Indies during the 2024 T20 World Cup and reached the last four before losing to South Africa. Rashid said,

 

“Under my captaincy, we reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals; we beat West Indies, but sometimes things aren’t in your control. But I have moved on now. Whether I am captain or not, I am proud that I am representing Afghanistan and I am trying to put to use whatever skills and capabilities I have."

 

Read also: India Receive Correctly Sized Asian Games Kits Ahead Of Japan T20I And Title Defence Campaign

 

India series adds to Afghanistan’s challenge

 

The change has coincided with a difficult start for Zadran. His first series as Afghanistan’s full-time T20I captain ended in a 3-0 defeat against India, with Shreyas Iyer’s side completing a sweep.

 

Rashid took four wickets across the three matches but conceded 113 runs at an economy rate of 9.82. He said Afghanistan’s players must overcome repeated defeats against India. He added,

 

“What I can control is to do well for Afghanistan and make them win.

 

“I think the most important thing for us is to believe in ourselves and believe that we can beat India. We have lost to them so many times that our players also have it in their minds that we have never beaten them and have always struggled against them."