Five regional teams compete in the Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026: Speenghar Region, Bost Region, Mis-e-Ainak Region, Amo Region, and Band-e-Amir Region.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) finalized all five squads in late April 2026 for the tournament’s 3rd edition, running from May 2 to May 14 at the Kunduz Cricket Ground.
In this article, you will find the complete player list, captains, wicketkeepers, and key players for each team. So, let’s get straight into it.
National T20 Cup 2026: Quick Tournament Details
For the detailed schedule and fixture information, check our complete Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 Schedule article. Here is a brief overview of the tournament.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | e& National T20 Cup 2026, powered by Super Cola |
| Edition | 3rd |
| Dates | May 2 – May 14, 2026 |
| Venue | Kunduz Cricket Ground, Kunduz |
| Format | Double Round-Robin + Final |
| Total Matches | 21 |
| Streaming (India) | FanCode App and Website |
Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 Teams: Quick Overview
Before diving into individual squads, here is a summary table. In total, each squad consists of 15 players, including two designated wicketkeepers.
| Team | Captain | Provinces | Wicketkeepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speenghar Region | Zubaid Akbari | Nangarhar, Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan | Mohammad Ishaq, Mobin Khan |
| Bost Region | Najibullah Zadran | Kandahar, Helmand, Nimroz, Uruzgan, Zabul | Numan Shah, Sabir Hanif |
| Mis-e-Ainak Region | Ijaz Ahmadzai | Khost, Logar, Paktia, Paktika | Mahboob Taskin, Rahman Rehanoo |
| Amo Region | Imran Mir | Balkh, Faryab, Jowzjan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol | Rahat Andar, Haji Murad |
| Band-e-Amir Region | Hazratullah Zazai | Ghazni, Bamyan, Daykundi, Maidan Wardak | Khalid Ahmadzai, Abdul Hadi |
Now, let’s break down each team individually with their full squad and standout players.
1. Speenghar Region Squad
Captain: Zubaid Akbari | Region: Nangarhar, Kapisa, Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan
Speenghar Region opened the tournament against Bost on May 2. However, their batting struggled as they posted just 115 before getting bowled out. Although the result was disappointing, the squad has enough talent to bounce back.
Speenghar Region: Full 15-Player Squad
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zubaid Akbari | Captain |
| 2 | Wafiullah Tarakhil | Player |
| 3 | Imran Mazari | Player |
| 4 | Mohammad Idris | Player |
| 5 | Shawkat Zaman | Player |
| 6 | Akbar Musazai | Player |
| 7 | Mohammad Ishaq | Wicketkeeper |
| 8 | Mobin Khan | Wicketkeeper |
| 9 | Nazif Amiri | Player |
| 10 | Abdul Zahoor | Player |
| 11 | Aqeel Khan | Player |
| 12 | Rohullah Arab | Player |
| 13 | M. Nabi Miakhil | Player |
| 14 | Khatir Stanikzai | Player |
| 15 | Faridoon Dawoodzai | Player |
Key Players for Speenghar Region
First of all, captain Zubaid Akbari anchors the batting order. Although he scored only 23 in the opener, he builds his innings well in T20 cricket and should find form as the tournament progresses.
Similarly, Mohammad Ishaq adds firepower from the wicketkeeping slot. In fact, he earned a reserve spot in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, which shows his standing in domestic cricket.
On the bowling side, Faridoon Dawoodzai leads the attack as a left-arm quick. He averages 19 in T20 cricket, and consequently he grabbed 3 wickets in the opening match. Besides him, Aqeel Khan also picked up 4 wickets in the first two matches.
2. Bost Region Squad
Captain: Najibullah Zadran | Region: Kandahar, Helmand, Nimroz, Uruzgan, Zabul
Bost Region won their opening match against Speenghar, chasing down 116 with 4 wickets in hand. As a result, they started the tournament on a positive note under Najibullah Zadran’s captaincy.
Bost Region: Full 15-Player Squad
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Najibullah Zadran | Captain |
| 2 | Faisal Khan | Player |
| 3 | Saif Nangyal | Player |
| 4 | Mohibullah Hamraz | Player |
| 5 | Javeed Sulaimankhil | Player |
| 6 | Aziz Miakhil | Player |
| 7 | Numan Shah | Wicketkeeper |
| 8 | Sabir Hanif | Wicketkeeper |
| 9 | Ijaz Ul Haq Noorzai | Player |
| 10 | Hamza | Player |
| 11 | Khair Mohammad | Player |
| 12 | Zaitullah Shaheen | Player |
| 13 | M. Ibrahim Kharooti | Player |
| 14 | Nasrat Nooristani | Player |
| 15 | Abdullah Tarakhil | Player |
Key Players for Bost Region
Without a doubt, Najibullah Zadran brings the most international experience in this squad. He has featured in IPL, BPL, and multiple ICC events. However, experts note the squad looks batting-heavy, while the bowling appears a bit thin overall.
Furthermore, Numan Shah impressed in the first match by scoring 45 off 33 balls from the wicketkeeping position. He held his ground when the top order collapsed, which consequently helped Bost secure victory.
In addition, Ijaz Ul Haq Noorzai offers valuable all-round contributions. Meanwhile, Hamza (also known as Amir Hamza) scored a crucial unbeaten 27 off 18 balls in the opening chase.
3. Mis-e-Ainak Region Squad
Captain: Ijaz Ahmadzai | Region: Khost, Logar, Paktia, Paktika
Mis-e-Ainak reached the final of the inaugural 2024 edition, where they lost to Band-e-Amir by 23 runs. As a result, they carry that experience into 2026. In fact, they already won their opening match against Amo Region by 5 wickets.
Mis-e-Ainak Region: Full 15-Player Squad
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ijaz Ahmadzai | Captain |
| 2 | Ziauddin Sharifi | Player |
| 3 | Khalid Taniwal | Player |
| 4 | Asghar Atal | Player |
| 5 | Emal Shaheen | Player |
| 6 | Kiramatullah | Player |
| 7 | Mahboob Taskin | Wicketkeeper |
| 8 | Rahman Rehanoo | Wicketkeeper |
| 9 | Mohammad Younus | Player |
| 10 | Abdullah Mohammadi | Player |
| 11 | Wahid Zadran | Player |
| 12 | Sami Mubariz | Player |
| 13 | Sharifullah Riaz | Player |
| 14 | Nijat Masood | Player |
| 15 | Nasim Mangal | Player |
Key Players for Mis-e-Ainak Region
Khalid Taniwal leads the batting charts in this edition with 96 runs from the early matches. Consequently, he has emerged as the most in-form batter of the tournament so far
Besides that, captain Ijaz Ahmadzai also earned a reserve spot in Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. His leadership and all-round abilities therefore make him the team’s backbone.
Moreover, Mahboob Taskin contributed 64 runs in the opening match from the wicketkeeping slot. Although Mis-e-Ainak may lack flashy names, their collective consistency gives them a genuine edge in this tournament.
4. Amo Region Squad
Captain: Imran Mir | Region: Balkh, Faryab, Jowzjan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol
Amo Region entered the tournament with a balanced squad. However, they lost their opening match to Mis-e-Ainak by 5 wickets despite posting 171/5 in 20 overs. As a result, they know the batting has potential but the bowling needs tightening.
Amo Region: Full 15-Player Squad
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imran Mir | Captain |
| 2 | Javid Ahmadzai | Player |
| 3 | Mohammad Akram | Player |
| 4 | Ali Ahmad Nasar | Player |
| 5 | Tariq Stanikzai | Player |
| 6 | Mohammad Riaz | Player |
| 7 | Rahat Andar | Wicketkeeper |
| 8 | Haji Murad | Wicketkeeper |
| 9 | Sabir Bahrami | Player |
| 10 | Said Jalal Hashimi | Player |
| 11 | Azim Zadran | Player |
| 12 | Hafeez Zadran | Player |
| 13 | Sayed Shirzad | Player |
| 14 | Salam Khan | Player |
| 15 | Faheem Qasemi | Player |
Key Players for Amo Region
For Amo, the biggest threat comes from Mohammad Akram. In the 2024 edition, he amassed 258 runs at a strike rate of 158.28. Although he started slowly in the 2026 opener, his track record in this tournament speaks for itself.
Similarly, Tariq Stanikzai provides genuine dual value. He scored 136 runs at a 167.90 strike rate in 2024, while also picking up 6 wickets with his off-spin. In other words, he functions as a true all-rounder.
On the bowling side, Sayed Shirzad brings experience with 47 T20 wickets to his name. As a left-arm quick, he provides variety and early breakthroughs. In addition, Azim Zadran claimed 9 wickets at just 4.00 economy in the 2025 season.
5. Band-e-Amir Region Squad
Captain: Hazratullah Zazai | Region: Ghazni, Bamyan, Daykundi, Maidan Wardak
Band-e-Amir won the inaugural National T20 Cup in 2024, which consequently makes them the benchmark team in this tournament. Their squad blends proven match-winners with young domestic talent.
Band-e-Amir Region: Full 15-Player Squad
| # | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hazratullah Zazai | Captain |
| 2 | Haroon Khan | Player |
| 3 | Usman Khan | Player |
| 4 | Sadiq Pacha | Player |
| 5 | Sohail Khan | Player |
| 6 | Sabir Gurbaz | Player |
| 7 | Khalid Ahmadzai | Wicketkeeper |
| 8 | Abdul Hadi | Wicketkeeper |
| 9 | Haqmal Arya | Player |
| 10 | Muslim Musa | Player |
| 11 | Naveed Izhar | Player |
| 12 | Rahmatullah Kharoti | Player |
| 13 | Abdullah Ahmadzai | Player |
| 14 | Lais Lawang | Player |
| 15 | Said Khan | Player |
Key Players for Band-e-Amir Region
Hazratullah Zazai is undoubtedly the biggest star of the National T20 Cup. In the 2024 edition, he smashed 310 runs at a strike rate of 158.16, including 16 sixes. Therefore, his presence alone makes Band-e-Amir the most feared batting lineup.
Besides Zazai, Haroon Khan provides stability. He scored 165 runs in the 2025 season at a strike rate of 121.32, with a top score of 92. While Zazai attacks from ball one, Haroon holds the innings together.
On the bowling front, Abdullah Ahmadzai already grabbed 4 wickets in the first match of this edition. Consequently, he leads the tournament’s wicket-taking charts as of May 4. His pace and accuracy make him a genuine match-winner.
Furthermore, Sadiq Pacha adds middle-order depth. In fact, experts predict him to score heavily through the tournament because of his ability to rotate strike and clear boundaries.
Which Team Has the Strongest Squad in National T20 Cup 2026?
Based on squad composition and past performances, Band-e-Amir Region starts as the clear favorite. Although every team has match-winners, Zazai’s explosive batting combined with Abdullah Ahmadzai’s pace gives them an edge over the rest.
However, Amo Region should not be overlooked either. With Akram, Stanikzai, and Shirzad in the squad, they have all-round depth. Similarly, Bost Region benefits from Najibullah Zadran’s international pedigree.
On the other hand, Speenghar Region and Mis-e-Ainak Region may lack big-name firepower. But as the 2025 final proved (won by just 1 wicket), domestic T20 tournaments often reward team balance over individual star power.
Conclusion: Five Teams Ready for National T20 Cup 2026 Battle
In conclusion, the Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026 features five well-balanced regional squads. Band-e-Amir enters as the favorite, although Amo and Bost also carry genuine title credentials with their experienced captains.
Above all, the tournament’s real value lies in giving emerging Afghan cricketers a stage to prove themselves. So, keep an eye on these squads as the action unfolds in Kunduz through May 14.
