Kabul, August 2026 : Afghanistan have recalled fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq for their upcoming three-match T20 International series against India, giving a major boost to their pace attack ahead of the much-anticipated contest scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17.
Naveen returns to the national side after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder that kept him out of Afghanistan’s bilateral series against the West Indies and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Afghanistan suffered an early exit from the global tournament, and the pacer’s availability is expected to strengthen their bowling options against India.
The series will also mark Ibrahim Zadran’s first assignment as Afghanistan’s full-time T20I captain after he took over the leadership from Rashid Khan. Zadran will lead a squad that combines experienced campaigners with emerging domestic talent.
Naveen will spearhead the pace attack alongside Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai. Veteran seam-bowling all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has also returned to the squad, while wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman has received his maiden T20I call-up following a consistent run in domestic cricket.
Afghanistan have retained considerable strength in their spin department, with former captain Rashid Khan joined by Noor Ahmad, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.
Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Naseeb Khan said the selection committee had focused on building a balanced and well-prepared squad for the series.
“We have followed the same approach for the upcoming series against India, and I hope the Afghanistan team will deliver an outstanding performance in these matches,” he said.
Khan also described the series as a significant milestone for Afghan cricket, noting that Afghanistan will host a major cricketing nation for the first time. He said the development reflected the progress made by Afghan cricket and its continued movement towards its long-term strategic objectives.
The Afghan squad is expected to arrive in India ahead of the series to participate in a preparatory camp. The three-match series will be particularly significant as it will be the first men’s bilateral T20I series between Afghanistan and India.
The two sides have previously met in other formats, including a one-off Test and three ODIs played in June this year. The upcoming T20I series will provide another opportunity for Afghanistan’s rapidly developing side to test itself against one of the world’s leading cricket teams.
Afghanistan squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Reserves: Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal and Fareed Ahmad Malik.
