The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Selection Committee has announced a 19-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, commencing on January 11 in Mohali.
While Rashid Khan, the regular T20I Captain, is included in the squad, his participation in the games is uncertain as he continues to recover from a recent back surgery. In his absence, Ibrahim Zadran, who led Afghanistan to a 2-1 series triumph against the UAE, will continue to captain the team against India.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was not part of the recent T20I series against the UAE, makes a return to the squad for the India series. Additionally, Ikram Alikhil, previously in the reserves against the UAE, has been promoted to the main squad as the backup wicket-keeper to Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
In the 3 match T20I series vs UAE, Afghanistan won 2-1. The Afghani team won the first T20I in some fashion thanks to a century from Gurbaz. However, the hosts UAE made a great comeback to win the 2nd T20I, but the Afghanistan team proved to be the better side on the decisive matchday, the 3rd T20I and won the series 2-1.
The India vs Afghanistan 3 match T20I series will commence on the 11th of January in Mohali followed by the 2nd T20I on the 14th of January in Indore. The 3rd and the final match of the series will be played on the 17th of January in Bengaluru.
Afghanistan squad for 3 match T20I series
Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan.
