‘India is our second home’: Afghanistan aim higher in T20 World Cup, says Gulbadin Naib

All-rounder Gulbadin Naib believes Afghanistan can turn familiarity into an advantage when they campaign in India at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, describing the country as the team’s “second home”.

Afghanistan created history in the 2024 T20 World Cup by stunning Australia to reach the semi-finals, before South Africa—eventual runners-up—ended their run with a nine-wicket win after bowling them out for just 56. Having already crossed that barrier, expectations around the Afghan side have grown, but Naib says the team is focused on progress rather than pressure.

“We’re not thinking too much about expectations. T20 cricket is about preparation and execution,” Naib told India Today in an interaction arranged by Dubai Capitals, while featuring in the ILT20. “If we can push ourselves just 10 per cent more than what we did in the last World Cup, it could make a huge difference.”

The 34-year-old said conditions in India will pose little challenge to Afghanistan, given the team’s extensive experience there—both as a national side and through participation in the IPL and other global leagues.

“T20 cricket really suits us,” Naib said. “Luckily, our players are playing leagues all over the world, and that’s a big plus. With the World Cup in India, it feels like home—our second home. We’ve played a lot of cricket there, in Dehradun, in Lucknow, and many of our players have plenty of IPL experience. Almost every IPL team has one or two Afghan players.

“So the conditions won’t be too challenging. We’re looking forward to playing good cricket there.”

Focus firmly on World Cup

Afghanistan’s build-up to the 2026 event has been far from smooth. They failed to reach the final of a UAE tri-series featuring Pakistan, exited the Asia Cup early after losses to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but then bounced back with a 3–0 T20I series win over Zimbabwe and a one-off victory against Qatar in Doha.

Naib, who has represented Afghanistan in 78 T20Is and 89 ODIs since debuting in 2011, said those fluctuations were part of a deliberate transition phase aimed squarely at the World Cup.

“When you bring in new faces and give younger guys opportunities, results can suffer in the short term,” he said. “That’s why we didn’t make the tri-series final or progress in the Asia Cup. But that was part of the plan.”

The veteran explained that the management prioritised building depth by blooding players such as Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Abdullah Ahmadzai and fast bowler Bashir Ahmad.

“Our main goal wasn’t the Asia Cup or the tri-series,” Naib said. “The focus was entirely on preparing for the T20 World Cup and giving chances to young players so they’re ready for a big stage.”

Afghanistan have been placed in Group D for the 2026 T20 World Cup alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the UAE and Canada. They begin their campaign against the Black Caps on Sunday, February 8, at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.

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