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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 Afghanistan make their third appearance at the Under-19 World Cup
- 2🏆 Mahboob Khan leads a spin-heavy Afghanistan U19 squad in 2026
- 3💡 Wahidullah Zadran headlines a versatile young spin attack
- 4🔮 Strong age-group form makes Afghanistan dangerous dark horses
"The team makes its third appearance at the tournament with a strong spin-bowling group"
Mahboob Khan, newly 19 and already a seasoned age-group leader, will captain Afghanistan Under-19 at the Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia, with a spin-rich attack headlined by Wahidullah Zadran primed to trouble young batting line-ups.
Mahboob’s leadership and spin armoury in focus
Khan comes in with serious captaincy pedigree, having already led Afghanistan at the 2024 and 2025 U19 Asia Cup campaigns, and he now oversees a 50-over squad built firmly around spin. His calm presence behind the stumps and growing reputation as a game-manager make him the natural choice to guide this exciting group on their third Under-19 World Cup appearance.
All eyes will be on 18-year-old offspinner Wahidullah Zadran, the most talked-about name in the attack. Zadran has already had a taste of senior-level pressure and is seen as the spearhead of a versatile slow-bowling unit that also includes promising left-arm and legspin options. In typical Afghan style, the spin depth allows them to attack from both ends in the middle overs.
Afghanistan arrive with real form behind them after bossing age-group cricket in Asia, and their blend of experienced age-group campaigners and fearless teenagers makes them one of the dark horses of the tournament.
"We want to show the world how strong Afghanistan’s next generation is," — Mahboob Khan
If the young Afghans handle the spotlight, their spin-first blueprint could once again turn age-group cricket into a stage for the country’s next wave of stars.
