T20 World Cup 2026: SWOT analysis of Afghanistan - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats

Afghanistan have announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Rashid Khan will continue to lead the side, while the squad is further strengthened by the return of experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib and pace bowler Naveen-ul-Haq, both of whom make their comeback to the national setup.

Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who missed the recent T20I series against Bangladesh, has also been included, adding depth and variety to Afghanistan’s pace-bowling attack. Another significant change sees Mujeeb Ur Rahman return to the squad, replacing young spinner AM Ghazanfar, who has been named among the reserves.

Afghanistan have been placed in Group D of the tournament, alongside New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. They will begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai, a venue expected to offer conditions favourable to spin bowling.

Strengths

Afghanistan’s biggest strength lies in their formidable spin bowling unit. They are going to play in subcontinental conditions in India and Sri Lanka, which traditionally assist slower bowlers, giving Afghanistan a significant advantage. The presence of world-class spinners such as Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi makes them a dangerous side. All four have considerable experience playing in India through the Indian Premier League (IPL), allowing them to adapt quickly to pitch conditions and exploit opposition weaknesses with disciplined line and length.

Weaknesses

Afghanistan’s batting remains a major area of concern. Their top and middle-order batters often rely heavily on aggressive stroke play and boundary-hitting, sometimes at the expense of game awareness. Players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Sediqullah Atal tend to score at a brisk pace but can struggle to build longer innings when required. This lack of adaptability could hurt Afghanistan in pressure situations against stronger teams.

Opportunities

Afghanistan have already proven their ability to upset top sides on the global stage. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, they registered historic victories over Australia and New Zealand, showcasing their growing confidence and maturity. With similar conditions expected in 2026, they have another opportunity to replicate those performances and challenge established cricketing nations.

Threats

Despite their talent and experience, Afghanistan have occasionally faltered in high-pressure knockout or must-win matches. Afghanistan still struggles at times with handling expectations and maintaining calm under pressure. If not addressed, this could limit their chances of making a deep run in the tournament.

Afghanistan squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Naveen Ul Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran

Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi