Naveen-ul-Haq, Afghanistan’s top fast bowler, has been declared ineligible to compete in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. The forthcoming three-match Twenty20 International series against the West Indies, which was supposed to be Afghanistan’s last training match before the international tournament, would also be missed by the right-arm seamer. Reserves have already been put on standby, but the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced a replacement.
Naveen-ul-Haq is reportedly scheduled to have surgery later this month, which will essentially eliminate his prospects of playing in the World Cup.
Although the precise form of his ailment has not been made public, it follows a pattern for the 26-year-old, whose previous international outings have been restricted because of fitness issues. Due to a shoulder injury, Naveen has missed significant international assignments, including the 2025 Asia Cup, since his previous Afghanistan match in December 2024.
Naveen continued to be active on the franchise circuit, participating in competitions like SA20, Major League Cricket (MLC), and the ILT20 despite making few appearances at the national level. His final appearance was with MI Emirates in the ILT20, but a meaningful comeback was thwarted by persistent injury problems.
To captain Afghanistan in the West Indies T20Is, Rashid Khan departs SA20 2026.
The absence of Naveen-ul-Haq has left Afghanistan’s bowling attack seriously lacking. The pacer continues to be the team’s top wicket-taking fast bowler in the format and has been one of their most dependable wicket-takers in Twenty20 Internationals. He has taken 67 wickets at an average of 18.73 in 48 Twenty20 Internationals.
He picked up 13 wickets at an economy rate of only 6.00 at the 2024 T20 World Cup, which saw Afghanistan make history by making it to the semi-finals for the first time. The ACB had previously designated seamer Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, batter Ijaz Ahmadzai, and mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar as World Cup reserves; one of them is anticipated to be selected for the final team. Rashid Khan’s decision to leave SA20 2026 to captain Afghanistan in the T20I series against the West Indies has given the country a significant boost. Additionally, Mujeeb Ur Rahman has joined the national team.
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