The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Monday confirmed that there would be no change to the schedule for the upcoming T20I series against India. Earlier, Hindustan Times Digital reported that the ACB was mulling over hosting one T20I on September 14 to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi, but it seems the plan didn’t proceed as intended. On Monday, the ACB announced Afghanistan’s squad for the three-match series, and the schedule remains unchanged, with the three matches to be played on September 13, 15 and 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
This will be the first time Afghanistan hosts India. Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran. The biggest boost to Afghanistan’s bowling attack comes with the return of Naveen-ul-Haq.
The right-arm seamer has been brought back into the national squad after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder. The injury had forced him to miss Afghanistan’s T20I series against the West Indies as well as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
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Naveen’s comeback gives Afghanistan another proven option in the pace department. He will operate alongside Fazal Haq Farooqi and Abdullah Ahmadzai, while Azmatullah Omarzai adds an all-round dimension to the attack.
The combination gives Afghanistan several different pace options and could prove particularly useful against India’s deep batting line-up. The Afghanistan team will travel to India soon for training and final preparations before the event officially kicks off in New Delhi.
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Afghanistan have also brought veteran all-rounder Gulbadin Naib back into the squad. Naib’s inclusion provides additional depth to the middle order while also giving the captain another bowling option. His experience of playing at the highest level and familiarity with international conditions could be valuable during a demanding series in India.
Mohammad Nabi further strengthens the all-round department, with the former captain offering both experience and balance to a squad that contains several established match-winners.
The series carries significance beyond the cricket itself. Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Naseeb Khan said the board had focused on assembling a balanced squad capable of competing strongly against India.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board has always made every effort to select a well-balanced and fully prepared squad for all relevant competitions. 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,” ACB Chief Executive Officer, Naseeb Khan, said.
“It is a great pride that Afghanistan is hosting a major cricketing nation for the first time. This reflects the progress Afghan cricket has made toward achieving its major objectives and shows that we are steadily advancing toward the strategic goals identified by the organisation,” he added.
The Afghanistan squad for India series: 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, Naveen-ul-Haq.