Rashid Khan appointed Afghanistan T20I captain

The allrounder, who replaces Mohammad Nabi in the role, has previously captained Afghanistan in seven T20Is in 2019, winning four matches and losing three

Rashid Khan has been appointed captain of Afghanistan's T20I side.

The allrounder replaces Mohammad Nabi, who stepped down from the role following the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Nabi took aim at the selection committee in his resignation statement, writing: "We are as frustrated as you are with the outcome of matches. For the last one year, our team preparation was not to a level that a captain would want it or needed for a big tournament.

"Moreover, in some of our last tours, the team management, selection committee and I were not on the same page which had implications on team balance."

Rashid, 24, has already chalked up 74 T20I appearances for Afghanistan, scoring 328 runs at a strike rate of 127.62 and taking 122 wickets – only Tim Southee and Shakib Al Hasan have taken more in men's T20Is.

^{Rashid replaces Mohammad Nabi in the role [Paul Kane/Getty Images]}

He has previously captained Afghanistan in seven T20Is in 2019, winning four matches and losing three.

Commenting on his appointment, Rashid said: "Captaincy is a huge responsibility. I have the experience of leading my country before, there is a great bunch of guys with whom I have a good understanding and feel pretty comfortable. We will try to stick together, will work hard to put things on the right track and bring pride and joy to our country and nation."

Afghanistan Cricket Board chair, Mirwais Ashraf, added: "Rashid Khan is a massive name in Afghanistan cricket. He has colossal experience of playing the format around the world which will help him take the team to a new level in the format.  

"Rashid Khan has the experience of leading [Afghanistan] in all three formats before and we are happy to have him as our skipper for the T20I format again. I am sure he will come out on top and will bring more glories to the nation."

Afghanistan are scheduled to face the UAE in three T20Is in February, which will represent Rashid's first series back at the helm.

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