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 formatThe series will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from September 13 to 17The Afghans will be the home team for the series, with all three matches scheduled to be played at the national capital.
Afghanistan have picked a strong squad for the series, with several experienced players returning to the teamFast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq has been included after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder.
Naveen missed Afghanistan’s T20I series against the West Indies as well as the 2026 T20 World Cup because of the injuryHis return gives Afghanistan another experienced option in the pace attackFazal Haq Farooqi and Abdullah Ahmadzai are the other specialist fast bowlers in the squad, while Azmatullah Omarzai gives the team another pace-bowling option.
Experienced all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has also returned to the squadHis presence gives Afghanistan more depth in the middle order and another option with the ball.
Rashid Khan will lead a strong spin attack alongside Noor Ahmad and Nangyal KharotiMohammad Nabi, one of Afghanistan’s most experienced players, has also been included and will add both batting and spin-bowling options to the side.
The squad also features uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor RahmanHe has been rewarded for his performances in domestic cricket, the Shpageeza Cricket League and for Afghanistan AHe will provide competition to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who remains the team’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter.
Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Naseeb Khan said the board had tried to select a balanced squad for the series against India.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board has always made every effort to select a well-balanced and fully prepared squad for all relevant competitions,” Naseeb said.
He added that the same approach had been followed for the India series and hoped the team would put in a strong performance.
The appointment of Zadran marks an important step in his T20I careerThe opener has been a key part of Afghanistan’s batting line-up and will now have the added responsibility of leading the side against one of the strongest teams in world cricket.
Afghanistan are expected to travel to India soon for their training camp and final preparations before the three-match series begins on September 13.
