Aqil Khan Obaid approved as replacement for Hafieezullah Zadran in Afghanistan squad

Media release

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 has approved Aqil Khan Obaid as a replacement for Hafieezullah Zadran in the Afghanistan squad.

Obaid was named as a replacement after Zadran was ruled out due to a fracture to his left wrist which he sustained during Afghanistan’s successful tournament opening match against South Africa. He has been pronounced unable to continue his participation in the remainder of the tournament.

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad.

The Event Technical committee of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 consists of Wasim Khan (Chair and ICC General Manager - Cricket), Sarah Edgar (ICC Senior Manager - Events), Hamilton Masakadza (Zimbabwe Cricket Tournament Director) and Tash Farrant (independent nominee).

ENDS