After a disappointing World Cup, Rashid Khan’s captaincy is coming to an end.

Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup campaign has once again fallen short of expectations. Despite reaching the semi-finals in the 2024 edition, the team failed to progress beyond the Super 8 stage in this year’s tournament. The responsibility for this disappointment appears to be falling squarely on the shoulders of Afghanistan’s star spinner and current captain, Rashid Khan.

According to reports from Afghan media outlet Amu TV, Rashid is expected to be relieved of his captaincy following the team’s early exit. His successor is likely to be Ibrahim Zadran, although other candidates such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai are also under consideration. Omarzai, however, has reportedly declined any leadership role, leaving Zadran and Gurbaz as the primary contenders.

Sources indicate that the decision to remove Rashid could be presented as a matter of personal choice, although official confirmation from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet been made. The board has not formally announced any captaincy changes to date.

Rashid Khan first assumed the T20 captaincy in 2019 and has led Afghanistan for more than six years, captaining the side in 48 matches. During his tenure, Afghanistan secured 26 victories while losing 21 matches. His leadership period, however, has been marked by inconsistency in World Cup performances, which has reportedly prompted the board to reconsider the team’s leadership.

Interestingly, the ACB had contemplated replacing Rashid before the start of the current T20 World Cup, but decided against it at the time after weighing broader considerations. The early exit has now reignited the discussion about a leadership change.

Rashid Khan’s Captaincy Record (2019–2026)

With Zadran and Gurbaz emerging as the leading candidates, the Afghanistan Cricket Board is expected to finalise its decision soon. The appointment of a new captain is seen as a crucial step in revitalising the side ahead of upcoming international fixtures and ensuring a more consistent performance on the world stage.

While Rashid remains one of the world’s premier spinners and a key player for Afghanistan, the transition in leadership could mark the end of an era for the T20 side, signalling a fresh start under new guidance.