Naveen-ul-Haq Returns to Afghanistan Squad for India T20I Series, Zadran Named Captain

Naveen-ul-Haq has returned to Afghanistan's T20I squad for the first time in almost two years, named in the 15-member group for the upcoming three-match series against India, which will mark Ibrahim Zadran's first assignment as the side's full-time T20I captain.

The fast bowler last turned out for Afghanistan in December 2024, having missed the T20I series against West Indies and this year's T20 World Cup due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder. His return, after more than eight months on the sidelines, adds an important boost to Afghanistan's pace attack alongside Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi also returns to the group, having sat out Afghanistan's recent ODI series against Ireland due to CPL commitments, while uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman earns a maiden call-up.

Rashid Khan, who led the side through the T20 World Cup earlier this year, hands over the captaincy to Zadran but remains part of the squad as a frontline spinner, joined by Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to round out a strong spin-bowling department.

The three-match series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17, marking the first time Afghanistan will host India on Indian soil, continuing the arrangement that sees Afghanistan's "home" fixtures played in India or the UAE. It will be Afghanistan's first T20I series since their group-stage exit at this year's T20 World Cup.

Afghanistan 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.