Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq returns to Afghanistan’s 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India in September. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the side as Afghanistan’s full-time T20I captain for the first time.
The series will be played from 13th September to 17th September 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi, India. Naveen missed Afghanistan’s recent assignments after suffering a stress fracture in his right shoulder. His return comes after an absence of more than a year from international cricket.
Naveen-ul-Haq Returns to Strengthen Pace Attack
Naveen-ul-Haq has been included in Afghanistan’s T20I squad after missing the bilateral series against the West Indies and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 because of his shoulder injury. His last appearance for Afghanistan came in December 2024.
Naveen-ul-Haq returns to the Afghanistan side for the first time in almost two years 🔙
He will now play the three-match T20I series against India in Delhi pic.twitter.com/gHLidoH7Ot
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) August 24, 2026
The right-arm fast bowler retired from ODI cricket after the 2023 World Cup and has continued to represent Afghanistan in T20 cricket. His return adds another pace option alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Gulbadin Naib has also returned to the squad. The all-rounder provides another option in the middle order and with the ball. He averages 44.75 and has a strike rate of 130.65 in T20Is against India.
The selectors have named uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman in the squad after his performances in domestic cricket and the Shpageeza Cricket League. He will provide cover for Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Ibrahim Zadran Takes Charge as Full-Time Captain
Ibrahim Zadran will begin his tenure as Afghanistan’s full- time T20I captain in the series against India. He takes over the role from Rashid Khan, who remains in the squad.
Ibrahim Zadran has been named as Afghanistan’s captain for the three-match T20I series against India, giving the opener his first full-time leadership assignment in the shortest format. The series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from September 13 to 17.… pic.twitter.com/iHvVkQYo6A
— DNA (@dna) August 24, 2026
The appointment gives Zadran his first series as Afghanistan’s permanent T20I captain. The opening batter has previously been involved in Afghanistan’s leadership group and will now take charge of the team in the shortest format.
Zadran has said Afghanistan will focus on executing its plans and keeping its approach simple against India. The series will also present him with a difficult first assignment, as Afghanistan have yet to beat India in men’s T20I cricket.
Rashid remains one of the key players in the squad despite losing the captaincy. His experience in T20 cricket will be important for Afghanistan as Zadran takes on the leadership role.
The upcoming series follows previous meetings between Afghanistan and India in 2026. The two teams have also faced each other in Test and ODI cricket, with the T20I series completing their schedule across all three formats.
Afghanistan vs India T20I Series Schedule
Date
Match
Venue
September 13
1st T20I
Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi
September 15
2nd T20I
Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi
September 17
3rd T20I
Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, New Delhi
The series will give Naveen his first international matches since December 2024 and Zadran his first T20I assignment as Afghanistan’s permanent captain.
Afghanistan will look to the returning fast bowler and its new captain as it prepares to face India in the three-match series.
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