Naveen-ul-Haq Returns to Afghanistan Side for India T20I Series

Naveen-ul-Haq, a fast bowler, returns to the Afghanistan team for the first time in over two years after being picked to the 15-man roster for a three-match T20I series against India. Ibrahim Zadran will take over as captain on September 13 in Delhi.

Naveen-ul-Haq, who last played for the national team in December 2024, was scheduled to participate in Afghanistan’s series against the West Indies in the UAE, followed by the T20 World Cup earlier this year, but a stress fracture in his right shoulder sidelined him for more than eight months.

Veteran allrounder Mohammad Nabi returns to the white-ball side as well, having missed Afghanistan’s previous ODI series against Ireland, which they won 4-0, due to CPL commitments.

Meanwhile, uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Noor ul Rahman has been named the second wicketkeeper behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and spinner Nangeyalia Kharote has been added to the main team after missing the T20 World Cup.

Batter Shahidullah Kamal has been demoted to the reserves, while wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq has been completely dropped from the team.

Afghanistan is playing its first T20I series since the T20 World Cup in March, when they were eliminated from the Super Eights. Following the tournament, Zadran was chosen Afghanistan’s new captain, succeeding Rashid Khan, who remains a regular member of the squad.

Gulbadin Naib, meanwhile, has been retained. He was with Afghanistan for the T20 World Cup, but not for the Tests and ODIs against India in June or Ireland in August.

Afghanistan will host India on Indian soil, with all three T20Is taking place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 13, 15 and 17, respectively.