Naveen ul Haq returns as Afghanistan unveil squad for India T20I series

Afghanistan have unveiled their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India. Ibrahim Zadran will be leading the side in his first assignment as Afghanistan's full-time T20I captain.

Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq marks his return to the team to strengthen the bowling attack after recovering from an injury. He was previously ruled out of Afghanistan’s T20I series against the West Indies and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder.

Naveen will join Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai in the fast-bowling department. Apart from him, all-rounder Gulbadin Naib also returns to the squad, adding more depth to the middle order and an extra bowling option.

Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman has also earned a place in the squad as the backup wicketkeeper after impressing in domestic cricket and the Shpageeza Cricket League. The side also boasts an experienced spin-bowling attack led by Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Nangyal Kharoti, while veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi adds further balance.

T20I series begins on September 13

The three-match T20I series begins on September 13 as Afghanistan will host India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Naseeb Khan said that it’s a matter of great pride for Afghanistan to host a major cricketing nation like India for the first time.

“It is a great pride that Afghanistan is hosting a major cricketing nation for the first time. This reflects the progress Afghan cricket has made toward achieving its major objectives and shows that we are steadily advancing toward the strategic goals identified by the organization,” said Khan in a media release.

Afghanistan Squad for the Three-Match T20I Series Against India: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Noor Rahman (WK), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq.

Reserves: Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Fareed Ahmad Malik

Afghanistan vs India T20I series full schedule