Kabul, August 24: Afghanistan’s fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has made a comeback to the team for the upcoming T20 series against India. He returns after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder and will participate in this three-match series. The matches are scheduled to take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15, and 17.
This series also marks the first assignment for Ibrahim Zadran as Afghanistan’s full-time T20 captain, a role he has taken over from Rashid Khan. The team will arrive in India early for a preparation camp ahead of the series.
Naveen was sidelined due to the shoulder injury during the bilateral series against the West Indies and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. His return will bolster Afghanistan’s fast bowling attack.
He will join Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Azmatullah Omarzai in the pace department. The experienced seam-bowling all-rounder Gulbadin Naib is also back in the squad, while uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Noor Rahman has been called up for the first time after consistent performances in domestic cricket. The spin department remains strong with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Nangeliya Kharote, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi.
Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Naseeb Khan stated, “The Afghanistan Cricket Board has always strived to select a balanced and fully prepared team for all necessary competitions. We have adopted the same approach for the series against India. I hope the Afghanistan team performs excellently in these matches. It is a matter of great pride that Afghanistan is hosting a major cricket-playing nation for the first time. This reflects our progress towards achieving our main goals in Afghan cricket and shows that we are rapidly moving towards the strategic objectives set by the organization.”
Afghanistan’s team includes: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Amatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeliya Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Naveen-ul-Haq. Reserves: Ejaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Farid Ahmad Malik.
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