Afghanistan have confirmed Rashid Khan has been appointed as their new captain across all three formats. Leg-spinner Khan has replaced Gulbadin Naib, who took over the 50-over captaincy for the World Cup, and Test skipper Rahmat Shah, who never got to lead his team out in the longest format.
Afghanistan have endured a tumultuous couple of months that saw Asghar Afghan sacked as captain on the eve of the World Cup, where they lost all nine matches in a disappointing campaign. Tensions have been high between head coach Phil Simmons and chief selector Dawlat Ahmadzai and the former said he will “tell the Afghanistan people about the part that Ahmadzai had to play in our preparation and his part in the dismissal of Asghar Afghan”.
It is hoped Khan’s appointment will help to stabilise the nation although there are still said to be rumblings of discontent in the background. The 20-year-old is Afghanistan’s most famous player, having appeared in various global T20 leagues, and he is the number-one ranked bowler in T20 cricket.
