The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a formidable 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against India. Opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran has been handed the captaincy responsibilities for the T20 format for the very first time.
Afghanistan will field a full-strength side for the bilateral series scheduled to take place on Indian soil. All three T20Is will be hosted at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on 13, 15, and 17 September. The ACB officially confirmed the squad selection on Monday, 14 August.
A major highlight of the squad selection is the return of fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq. The right-arm paceman spent several months on the sidelines recovering from a right shoulder injury, which also forced him to miss the recent T20 World Cup. His recovery and return provide a substantial boost to Afghanistan’s pace options, where he joins Fazalhaq Farooqi and Abdullah Ahmadzai, alongside pace-bowling all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.
Experienced campaigner Gulbadin Naib also earns a recall to strengthen the squad’s depth. The selection panel has maintained continuity by retaining established stars, including leg-spinner Rashid Khan, veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Nangeyalia Kharote. Rahmanullah Gurbaz remains the primary choice behind the stumps, with Noor Rahman named as the backup wicketkeeper.
Commenting on the selection, ACB Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan stated that squad balance was the central priority. He highlighted that the selection panel focused on establishing harmony between batting and bowling departments, blending spin and pace while pairing seasoned experience with youthful talent.
Afghanistan T20 Squad:
Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (Wicketkeeper), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Noor Ahmad, and Nangeyalia Kharote.
