Rashid says Afghanistan captaincy change came as a surprise

Rashid has said he was unaware that Afghanistan’s T20I captaincy was being changed until the Afghanistan Cricket Board publicly announced the decision, leaving him uncertain about the circumstances behind the move.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Rashid indicated that the board did not inform him beforehand. His comments provide his first reported reaction to the leadership change, but the supplied material does not identify the decision’s reasons or name the new captain.

The development affects Afghanistan’s leadership ahead of a substantial international programme. The ACB has confirmed that Afghanistan will host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates across October and November 2026.

That schedule begins with a one-off Test against Bangladesh from October 9 to 13, followed by an ODI tri-nation series involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The three-team competition is scheduled for October 17 to 23, with the final set for October 23.

Afghanistan are then due to play Zimbabwe in three T20Is on October 27, October 29 and November 1. The teams will also contest two Tests, scheduled for November 5 to 9 and November 13 to 17.

The ACB has described the programme as an opportunity for Afghanistan to gain multi-format experience against strong opposition and to strengthen its cricketing ties with both visiting boards. Rashid’s comments come as the team’s leadership structure faces a change before that sequence of assignments.