Afghanistan have handed Ibrahim Zadran a major responsibility by naming the opener as their full-time T20I captain for the upcoming three-match series against India.
The 24-year-old will begin his first assignment as Afghanistan's permanent T20I skipper when the two sides meet in New Delhi in September. The series will be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla from September 13 to 17.
Zadran's appointment comes as Afghanistan prepare for a challenging series against India. The opener will lead a strong squad featuring several of the country's most experienced players.
Rashid Khan remains a key figure in Afghanistan's spin attack alongside Noor Ahmad and Nangyal Kharoti, while Mohammad Nabi adds experience and balance to the side.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has also brought back Gulbadin Naib, strengthening the middle order and giving the team another bowling option.
One of the biggest developments in the squad is the return of Naveen-ul-Haq. The fast bowler has recovered from a stress fracture in his right shoulder that kept him out of Afghanistan's T20I series against the West Indies and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Naveen's return strengthens a pace attack that also includes Fazal Haq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Afghanistan have also included uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Noor Rahman after his performances in domestic cricket, the Shpageeza Cricket League and at A-team level. He joins Rahmanullah Gurbaz as the squad's two wicketkeeping options.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said the board had aimed to select a balanced squad capable of competing strongly against India.
"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," Khan said.
The Afghanistan team will travel to India ahead of the series for training and final preparations.
All three matches will be played in New Delhi:
September 13: 1st T20I
September 15: 2nd T20I
September 17: 3rd T20I
Afghanistan Squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Rahman, 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.
