KABUL: Fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq will return to Afghanistan’s Twenty20 International squad for the three-match series against India after a two-year absence, with the aim of building the side for future events.

The 26-year-old missed Afghanistan’s T20I matches against West Indies and the T20 World Cup in 2026 due to a stress fracture in his right shoulder.

“Naveen’s return provides an important boost to the pace attack, giving Afghanistan a strong combination of pace, experience and variety,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a news release.

The three matches — on Sept 13, 15 and 17 — will be hosted in New Delhi as a home series for war-torn Afghanistan, whose “home” matches are played either in India or the United Arab Emirates.

It will be the first time a team will host India on Indian soil.

Ibrahim Zadran will captain the T20I side, taking over from Rashid Khan.

The squad also features an experienced spin-bowling group consisting of Rashid, Noor Ahmad and Nange­yalia Kharoti, while senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib provide additional experience and balance to the side.

Afghanistan continued their international rise with a thumping 4-0 over Ireland in a One-day International series this month, qualifying for next year’s 50-over World Cup.

Squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Noor Rahman, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Naveen-ul-Haq.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2026