Naveen-ul-Haq Returns as Afghanistan Announce T20I Squad for India Series

Afghanistan have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, with fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq making his return to international cricket after nearly two years.

Naveen last represented Afghanistan in December 2024 and had subsequently missed a number of assignments because of a stress fracture in his right shoulder. The injury kept the fast bowler out of action for more than eight months.

The series will also mark the beginning of Ibrahim Zadran's tenure as Afghanistan's T20I captain. He took over the leadership from Rashid Khan following Afghanistan's campaign at the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Rashid remains part of the squad as a player.

Veteran allrounder Mohammad Nabi has also returned to the white-ball squad after missing Afghanistan's recent ODI series against Ireland because of his Caribbean Premier League commitments. Afghanistan won that ODI series 4-0.

Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor ul Rahman has been included as the second wicketkeeper behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Spinner Nangeyalia Kharote has also been brought back into the main squad after missing Afghanistan's T20 World Cup campaign.

Shahidullah Kamal has been moved to the reserves, while wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq has been left out of the squad entirely. Gulbadin Naib, who was part of Afghanistan's T20 World Cup squad, has also retained his place.

The series will be Afghanistan's first T20I assignment since the T20 World Cup in March, where they failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage.

All three matches against India will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17.

Afghanistan squad for T20I series against India

Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor ul Rahman, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Naveen-ul-Haq.

Reserves: Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Fareed Ahmad Malik.