Afghanistan's National Buzkashi Team to Participate in Kazakhstan Tournament; Cricket Board Announces Series Postponement, Leadership Change

Afghanistan's national Buzkashi team will participate in the international Kokpar competitions in Turkistan city, Kazakhstan. The National Buzkashi Federation stated the event, resuming after a nine-year hiatus, runs from March 15 to 21, 2026. Participating teams include those from Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkey. The Afghan team last competed in such an event in Kazakhstan in 2017.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the postponement of the national team's series against Sri Lanka, originally set to start March 13, 2026, in the United Arab Emirates, to the final quarter of 2026 due to logistical challenges from the Middle East conflict. The schedule included three T20 internationals at Sharjah Stadium and three 50-over matches at Dubai International Stadium. ACB said in a press release that despite preparations and coordination with UAE officials, recent developments prevented the matches. The series will still occur in the UAE, with dates to be announced later.

ACB also named Ibrahim Zadran as the new T20 captain, replacing Rashid Khan, to lead the team in the postponed Sri Lanka series. Zadran, a consistent top-order batsman and former T20 vice-captain, takes over after Rashid's tenure that included a semi-final appearance at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Ahmad Shah Sulaiman Khil, ACB selection committee chair, said the move aligns with a long-term leadership strategy amid management changes. "Rashid Khan's captaincy brought remarkable successes," Sulaiman Khil stated. "In line with our strategic vision and recent changes, we decided to transfer T20 leadership." He praised Rashid's contributions and expressed hope for Zadran's leadership in upcoming World Cups and squad development. Hashmatullah Shahidi remains ODI captain, with Rahmat Shah as vice-captain.

The T20 squad includes Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Noor Rahman (wicketkeepers), Siddiqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Farid Ahmad Malak and Abdullah Ahmadzai. Standbys: Nangial Khort, Bilal.