Rashid Khan will captain Afghanistan in Twenty20 internationals after being named as the replacement for Mohammad Nabi by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Thursday.
Nabi stepped down as captain in November, after Afghanistan were eliminated from the T20 World Cup without winning a match.
This will be Rashid's second stint as captain. The spinner resigned immediately after Afghanistan's squad was announced for the 2021 World Cup last year, saying the selection committee had not obtained his consent for the team.
"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," Rashid said.
"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."
Rashid's first assignment as captain will be a three-match T20 series against the United Arab Emirates in February.
Daniil Medvedev beat Brandon Nakashima 6-2 7-6(1) to lift the Brisbane Open title on Sunday, starting the 2026 season on a strong note in the buildup to the Australian Open.
India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the three-match one-day international (ODI) series against New Zealand after suffering an abdominal injury during a training session, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said on Sunday ahead of the first game in Vadodara.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka brushed aside Marta Kostyuk 6-4 6-3 in the Brisbane International final on Sunday to retain the title without losing a set ahead of her bid to reclaim the Australian Open title this month.
Omar Marmoush netted the opener and Mohamed Salah scored the decisive goal as Egypt ended Ivory Coast’s reign with a narrow 3-2 triumph in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, while Nigeria overcame Algeria 2-0.
Manchester City's latest recruit Antoine Semenyo won praise from fellow teammates and support staff after the 26-year-old scored on his debut in Saturday's 10-1 FA Cup victory over Exeter City, matching the team's biggest win in the competition.