The Afghanistan cricket team will begin its preparations for the 2028 T20 World Cup under new captain Ibrahim Zadran, who takes over the captaincy duties from Rashid Khan, with a three-match IND vs AFG T20I series next month.
Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq is set to make his comeback to the Afghanistan team in almost two years after being named in the squad to take on India.
Rashid was removed as the Afghanistan captain soon after his team crashed out of the group stage in the T20 World Cup 2026 in February-March, with opener Zadran instated as the new skipper.
Rashid’s bowling form had been on a dip at that point, and he has been dealing with fitness issues over the last couple of years. A disappointing show in the T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan failed to make it to the Super Eight stage, cleared the decks for the ACB to relieve Rashid from the captaincy role.
Zadran, who is his nation’s fourth-highest T20I run-scorer, is a mainstay in the Afghanistan lineup at the top of the order, and has already led Afghanistan in 11 T20Is in his 65-T20I career.
Meanwhile, Naveen last played for Afghanistan in December 2024 and had played a starring role in his team’s run to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup earlier that year.
He was in line to play in the T20 World Cup 2026, but a stress fracture in his right shoulder forced him out for eight months, and he missed the tournament in India and Sri Lanka this year.
Mohammad Nabi, the 41-year-old veteran all-rounder, continues to be a key member of Afghanistan’s T20I side, and so does the 35-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder Gulbadin Naib.
Wicket-keeper opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz would be looking to leave a huge imprint in the IND vs AFG T20I series, and so will the backup keeper, the talented Noor ul Rahman. Spinner Nangeyalia Kharote has earned a call-up after being omitted from the T20 World Cup squad.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, and Azmatullah Omarzai are part of the Afghanistan core that could challenge India.
Batsmen Shahidullah Kamal and keeper Mohammad Ishaq have suffered demotions from the squad.
IND vs AFG: When and where is the India vs Afghanistan T20I series?
Afghanistan will “host” India for a three-match T20I series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with matches to be played on September 13, 15, and 17. While the series will be played in Delhi, Afghanistan are the designated host.
India vs Afghanistan: Afghanistan squad for IND vs AFG T20I series
Ibrahim Zadran (C), Noor ul Rahman (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Nangeyalia Kharote, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Nabi
Reserves: Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Fareed Ahmad Malik
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