Naveen-ul-Haq returns to Afghanistan squad for India T20I series
Synopsis
Naveen-ul-Haq's return from a stress fracture completes an Afghanistan pace attack that faces India in the first-ever bilateral T20I series between the two sides — a historic moment for Afghan cricket, with a new captain in Ibrahim Zadran and an uncapped keeper earning his debut call-up.
Key Takeaways
Naveen-ul-Haq returns to the Afghanistan T20I squad after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder.
The three-match T20I series against India will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on 13 , 15 , and 17 September .
Ibrahim Zadran will captain Afghanistan in T20Is for the first time, succeeding Rashid Khan .
Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman receives his maiden call-up based on domestic form.
This is the first-ever men's bilateral T20I series between Afghanistan and India .
Veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib also returns to the squad alongside a full-strength spin contingent.
Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has been recalled to the Afghanistan squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against India, scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on 13, 15, and 17 September. His return comes after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder — an injury that had kept him out of action for several months.
Naveen's Road Back
The shoulder injury had sidelined Naveen from Afghanistan's bilateral series against the West Indies and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, where Afghanistan made an early group-stage exit. His comeback bolsters a pace attack that already includes Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Azmatullah Omarzai. Veteran seam-bowling all-rounder Gulbadin Naib also returns to the squad, adding experience to the bowling and batting depth.
New Captain, New Era
The series will mark Ibrahim Zadran's first assignment as Afghanistan's full-time T20I captain, having taken over the role from Rashid Khan. Zadran will lead a side that retains one of the most potent spin attacks in world cricket, featuring Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi.
Fresh Face in the Squad
Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman earned his maiden call-up on the back of consistent domestic performances, adding a new dimension to the keeping options alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The Afghanistan squad is expected to arrive in India early for a preparatory camp ahead of the first T20I.
A Historic Series for Afghan Cricket
This will be the first-ever men's bilateral T20I series between Afghanistan and India, a milestone that the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has highlighted as a marker of the sport's growth in the country. The two sides previously met in a one-off Test and three ODIs in June 2026.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said in a statement: 'The Afghanistan Cricket Board has always made every effort to select a well-balanced and fully prepared squad for all relevant competitions. We have followed the same approach for the upcoming series against India, and I hope the Afghanistan team will deliver an outstanding performance in these matches. 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 organisation.'
Full squad: 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, Naveen-ul-Haq. Reserves: Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Point of View
And India's top order will now face a fuller-strength challenge. More significant, however, is what the series represents structurally: a first bilateral T20I between these two sides signals that Afghanistan cricket has cleared a credibility threshold that few expected it to reach this quickly. Ibrahim Zadran inherits a squad with genuine match-winners, but managing the transition from Rashid Khan's captaincy — while navigating the pressure of a high-profile home-away series — will define whether this is a new chapter or just a scheduling novelty.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Naveen-ul-Haq out of the Afghanistan squad?
Naveen-ul-Haq was sidelined due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder. The injury kept him out of Afghanistan's bilateral series against the West Indies and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
When and where will the Afghanistan vs India T20I series be played?
The three-match T20I series will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on 13, 15, and 17 September 2026.
Who is Afghanistan's new T20I captain?
Ibrahim Zadran has been appointed Afghanistan's full-time T20I captain, taking over from Rashid Khan. The India series will be his first assignment in the role.
Is this the first T20I series between Afghanistan and India?
Yes, this is the first-ever men's bilateral T20I series between Afghanistan and India. The two sides did meet earlier in a one-off Test and three ODIs in June 2026.
Who is Noor Rahman and why has he been picked?
Noor Rahman is an uncapped wicketkeeper-batter who earned his maiden Afghanistan T20I call-up following consistent performances in domestic cricket. He provides a second keeping option alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
