Afghan cricketers have built a strong name in the IPL over the years. They don’t fill squads, but they win matches. In IPL 2026, that pattern holds.
Four Afghan players earned direct retentions before the auction, each chosen for a clear role.
Several others entered the auction but couldn’t find a team.
This article covers every Afghan player in IPL 2026, their prices, teams, and what they bring to the table.
If you want a clear picture of Afghan players in IPL 2026, this is it.
Afghanistan Players in IPL 2026
Quick Summary:
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Afghan players retained | 4 |
| Afghan players unsold | 6 |
| Highest retention price | ₹18 Cr (Rashid Khan) |
| Teams with Afghan players | GT, CSK, MI, PBKS |
Key Highlights:
- Rashid Khan stays the top-priced Afghan in IPL history
- Noor Ahmad and AM Ghazanfar show the rise of young Afghan spinners
- Six players, including Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi, went unsold
- Afghan strength lies firmly in spin bowling
Afghanistan Players Retained for IPL 2026
Franchises made their picks before auction day. Four Afghan players earned direct retentions, which shows real trust from their teams.
| Player | Role | Team | Retention Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Khan | All-rounder | Gujarat Titans | ₹18.00 Cr |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Chennai Super Kings | ₹10.00 Cr |
| AM Ghazanfar | Bowler | Mumbai Indians | ₹4.80 Cr |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder | Punjab Kings | ₹2.40 Cr |
Rashid Khan, Gujarat Titans (₹18 Cr)
Rashid Khan’s IPL 2026 price of ₹18 crore says everything. Gujarat Titans didn’t hesitate. He’s been one of the best overseas bowlers in IPL history, and GT know exactly what they’re getting. His leg-spin is hard to read, his economy is tight, and he can bat when needed.
Noor Ahmad, Chennai Super Kings (₹10 Cr)
CSK paid ₹10 crore for Noor Ahmad, a left-arm wrist spinner still in his early career. That’s serious money for a young Afghan bowler. CSK have backed him to develop into a consistent wicket-taker, and his unusual action makes him tricky for right-handers.
AM Ghazanfar, Mumbai Indians (₹4.80 Cr)
Mumbai Indians kept AM Ghazanfar at ₹4.80 crore. He’s a mystery spinner who caused problems in his debut IPL season. MI see him as a long-term asset. Young Afghan spin talent is clearly in demand.
Azmatullah Omarzai, Punjab Kings (₹2.40 Cr)
Omarzai brings balance. He bowls seam-up and hits hard down the order. Punjab Kings retained him at ₹2.40 crore for that dual value. He’s not flashy, but he fills a role most Afghan players don’t: genuine all-round utility.
Afghanistan Players Unsold in IPL 2026 Auction
Not every Afghan player found a team. Six entered the auction; none got picked up.
| Player | Role | Base Price | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Bowler | ₹2.00 Cr | Unsold |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler | ₹1.00 Cr | Unsold |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | WK-Batter | ₹1.50 Cr | Unsold |
| Waqar Salamkheil | Bowler | ₹1.00 Cr | Unsold |
| Sediqullah Atal | Batter | ₹75 Lakh | Unsold |
| Wahidullah Zadran | Bowler | ₹30 Lakh | Unsold |
Mujeeb Ur Rahman going unsold is the real surprise. He’s a proven international spinner with serious IPL experience.
But teams face tight overseas slot limits. If your spin roles are filled, you won’t spend on a specialist. That’s the reality Mujeeb and Farooqi hit.
Gurbaz is a hard-hitting opener, but most teams already locked in their overseas batting options.
Afghan batters find it harder to earn spots when overseas slots go to all-rounders and pace bowlers.
Expert Analysis: What Afghan Players Bring to IPL 2026
Afghanistan’s IPL presence isn’t about squad depth. It’s about specific skills that win matches in specific moments.
- Spin in the middle overs. Rashid, Noor Ahmad, and Ghazanfar all operate best in overs 7 to 16. That’s where IPL matches get won or lost. Teams pay premium prices for bowlers who can contain and take wickets in that phase.
- Variety over pace. Afghan bowlers offer leg-spin, left-arm wrist spin, and mystery spin. That variation is hard to prepare for. Batters don’t face these styles every week in domestic cricket.
- Omarzai’s seam option. Most Afghan IPL picks are spinners. Omarzai breaks that pattern. Punjab Kings get a bowler who can swing it early and bat at number 7. That’s a different kind of value.
- The unsold players aren’t finished. Mujeeb, Farooqi, and Gurbaz could get picked up as injury replacements. IPL squads shift throughout the season. Their talent isn’t the question; slots are.
Team-wise Afghan Players in IPL 2026
- Gujarat Titans: Rashid Khan
- Chennai Super Kings: Noor Ahmad
- Mumbai Indians: AM Ghazanfar
- Punjab Kings: Azmatullah Omarzai
Four teams, four different roles. GT uses Rashid as their main bowling weapon. CSK back Noor Ahmad to grow. MI has a mystery spinner in Ghazanfar. PBKS get seam and batting utility from Omarzai.
Mohammad Nabi in IPL 2026
Mohammad Nabi doesn’t appear in the retained or unsold lists from IPL 2026 data.
His IPL career has seen him play for teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad and Lucknow Super Giants in past editions.
For confirmed details on Mohammad Nabi’s IPL 2026 status, price, and team, check updated auction results directly from IPL’s official sources.
Any specific Mohammad Nabi IPL 2026 price or Mohammad Nabi IPL team data should be verified through official channels.
Top 10 Afghanistan Cricket Players in IPL: Ranked by Impact
Based on IPL 2026 retention values and roles, here’s how Afghan players stack up:
| Rank | Player | IPL 2026 Status | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan | Gujarat Titans | ₹18.00 Cr |
| 2 | Noor Ahmad | Chennai Super Kings | ₹10.00 Cr |
| 3 | AM Ghazanfar | Mumbai Indians | ₹4.80 Cr |
| 4 | Azmatullah Omarzai | Punjab Kings | ₹2.40 Cr |
| 5 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Unsold | Base ₹2.00 Cr |
| 6 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Unsold | Base ₹1.50 Cr |
| 7 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Unsold | Base ₹1.00 Cr |
| 8 | Waqar Salamkheil | Unsold | Base ₹1.00 Cr |
| 9 | Sediqullah Atal | Unsold | Base ₹75 Lakh |
| 10 | Wahidullah Zadran | Unsold | Base ₹30 Lakh |
Conclusion:
Afghan players in IPL 2026 follow a clear pattern: elite spin bowlers get retained at high prices, while batters and lesser-known names struggle to find slots.
Rashid Khan remains the crown jewel at ₹18 crore. Noor Ahmad and Ghazanfar signal that young Afghan spinners are the next wave.
Omarzai fills a different but valuable all-round role. The six unsold players aren’t failures; they’re victims of slot math.
Afghanistan’s IPL identity is built on match-winning bowling in pressure overs, and that identity remains strong in 2026.
FAQs:
- Which Afghan players are in IPL 2026?
Four Afghan players are part of IPL 2026 squads: Rashid Khan (GT), Noor Ahmad (CSK), AM Ghazanfar (MI), and Azmatullah Omarzai (PBKS).
- What is Rashid Khan’s IPL 2026 price?
Rashid Khan was retained by the Gujarat Titans for ₹18 crore, making him the highest-paid Afghan player in IPL 2026.
- Did Mohammad Nabi play in IPL 2026?
Mohammad Nabi doesn’t appear in the confirmed IPL 2026 retention or auction data. Check official IPL sources for his current status.
- Why did Mujeeb Ur Rahman go unsold in IPL 2026?
Mujeeb went unsold due to limited overseas slots in team squads, not a lack of ability. Teams that already filled spin roles had no room for him.
- Which team has the most Afghan players in IPL 2026?
Each team with Afghan players has one: GT (Rashid Khan), CSK (Noor Ahmad), MI (AM Ghazanfar), and PBKS (Azmatullah Omarzai).
Also Check:
- Which Captain Lifted the Diamond Studded IPL 2008 Trophy
- IPL 2026 Sponsors List
- IPL 2026 Captains
- Uncapped Indian Players Who Sold Big In IPL 2026 Auction
About the Author
