Afghanistan Cricketers with Indian Team - (Source: AFP)
On Monday, August 24, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) named their 15-member squad for upcoming T20I series against India. Notably, the Ibrahim Zadran-led side will lock horns against India in India for a three-match T20I series starting on September 11.
Afghanistan have named a strong 15-member squad. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the side, and the likes of Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Noor Ahmad will headline the playing XI. The squad also marks the return of Naveen Ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib, two of Afghanistan Atalan’s veterans return to the side.
Afghanistan Players Who Can Pose Threat To India
Afghanistan have never defeated India in a T20I series, but there is a first for everything. The Atalans have a strong squad, and this article will shed light on three players who can pose a massive threat to India in T20Is.
1. Gulbadin Naib
Gulbadin Naib has been recalled to the team. The 35-year-old has not played a T20I since February 2026, which was the T20 World Cup. Now, the reason behind his return is the fact that he has impressive numbers against India.
Naib has faced India twice and has 112 runs with the bat. Gulbadin Naib averages 112 against the Men in Blue and got out just once. Interestingly, the 35-year-old has scored fifty in both appearances against India.
Also Read: Why India-Afghanistan T20Is Is A Problem For Punjab-Based Cricketers
Therefore, India need to be careful of the threat that the star all-rounder can produce both with the bat and the ball. So far, Naib has only got the opportunity to bowl a solitary over against India.
2. Ibrahim Zadran
There is no bigger threat than the Afghanistan captain himself. Ibrahim Zadran has made sure that the added responsibility has not affected his batting. Talking about 2026, Zadran is Afghanistan’s leading run-getter and has amassed 307 runs in just 7 innings.
Zadran averages 61.40 in 2026 and would love to continue his scoring spree against India. Zadran has played 3 innings against India and amassed 83 runs.
The Afghan captain has a fifty against India and would look to replicate the same when the two teams meet again in the second week of September.
3. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan needs no introduction. The right-arm spinner is the leading wicket-taker in T20 history and is enjoying one of the best phases of his life. The 27-year-old enjoyed a brilliant series against Ireland, where he took 12 wickets in just 3 innings.
In the recently concluded series, Rashid took a six-wicket haul in the first match, followed by two three-wicket hauls.
Talking about Rashid’s performance against India, the right- arm spinner is yet to make a statement. Interestingly, Rashid Khan has never bowled against India in a bilateral series and the upcoming tour will be a great challenge for him as well.
Also Read: Afghanistan's T20 Squad vs India Announced; Kohli's Nemesis Included
