IND vs AFG 2026: Afghanistan Name Squad for India T20I Series, Naveen ul Haq Returns
Afghanistan name squad for India T20I series, with Ibrahim Zadran captain and Naveen ul Haq returning.
Afghanistan have announced a 15-member squad for their three-match T20I series against India, with Ibrahim Zadran named captain and fast bowler Naveen ul Haq making his return to the national team.
Naveen has been recalled after last playing for Afghanistan in December 2024. His return is one of the main talking points ahead of the series, given his past IPL clash with Virat Kohli.
Kohli has since retired from T20Is, but Naveen’s return adds an interesting angle to the series. The Afghanistan squad also includes stars such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi.
The three-match series will be played from September 13 to September 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Although the matches will take place in India, the Afghanistan Cricket Board will host the series as an official home series.
Ibrahim will lead a side that will look to put up a stronger fight against India in the shortest format. India have already dominated Afghanistan in Test and ODI cricket earlier this year.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said it had focused on selecting a balanced squad for the series and hoped the team would deliver a strong performance.
The board also said it was a matter of pride for Afghanistan to host a major cricketing nation for the first time, calling it a sign of the progress made by Afghan cricket.
With Rashid, Gurbaz, Nabi, Omarzai and Naveen in the squad, Afghanistan will have plenty of experience and firepower as they look to challenge India in Delhi.
