Star Afghanistan player ruled out ahead of T20 World Cup

Afghanistan have suffered a big blow ahead of the upcoming T20 World 2026. There is news that pacw bowler Naveen ul Haq has been ruled out of the three-match T20 series against the West Indies and the entire

tournament due to injury. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Naveen is scheduled for surgery later this month, although the exact nature of the injury has not yet been clarified. But one thing is sure that the premium pacer will be out of action for the coming weeks which means he is likely to be out for the World Cup as well.

Naveen has been dealing with injuries recently and this is the second major injury for him. Previously, a shoulder problem had ruled him out of the Asia Cup 2025 as well. Naveen ul Haq last played for Afghanistan in December 2024. Following that, he participated in SA20 2025, Major League Cricket and ILT20, where he played for MI Emirates, but could not make a comeback at the international level. So this injury has put a stop to his comeback.

The Afghanistan cricket board are yet to officially confirm the news but they are expected to release an announcement in the coming days. Naveen has been a key bowler for Afghanistan in the shortest format picking up 67 wickets in 48 T20I matches at an average of 18.7 and an economy of less than 8. Afghanistan’s squad does have three reserve players and it is highly likely Zia Ur Rahman is most likely to be included in the main squad in place of Naveen, as he is a pacer and the team needs to maintain balance in its pace attack. Afghanistan will be looking to have a good performance in the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup.