“Reserve players are on standby, but replacing his experience will be tough.”
Afghanistan’s fast bowler Naveen‑ul‑Haq will miss the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup due to injury. He will also skip the upcoming three-match T20I series against the West Indies. These matches were part of Afghanistan’s tournament preparation.
The team has not revealed the exact nature of Naveen’s injury. He is expected to undergo surgery later this month. He missed the 2025 Asia Cup due to injury and played only a few matches for Afghanistan last year. His absence will be felt in key moments of the game.
Naveen has been a key part of Afghanistan’s pace attack. He has also competed in franchise leagues like SA20, MLC, and ILT20. His experience and skill make him valuable, especially in subcontinental conditions where his death-over variations are crucial.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has not named a replacement yet. Reserve players remain on standby. The squad will rely on other pace bowlers and spinners to cover the gap left by Naveen. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how the team adapts without him.