Kabul: 6th January 2024: Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Selection Committee named a 19-member Afghanistan National Squad for the three-match T20I Series against India starting this Thursday, January 11 in Mohali, India.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s regular T20I Captain, has been included in the squad but might not feature in any game as he recovers from the back surgery he recently underwent. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zadran, who led Afghanistan to a 2-1 series victory against the UAE in Sharjah, will continue to lead Afghanistan against India as well.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was not part of the recently held three-match T20I series against UAE, comes back to the squad to face India. Ikram Alikhil, who was part of the reserves against the UAE, has been promoted to the main squad as the backup wicket-keeper batter.

ACB Chairman Mr Mirwais Ashraf: “We are delighted to be embarking on our maiden tour to India for a three-match series. India is the top-ranked side in the world and it’s very pleasing to witness AfghanAtalan competing in a three-match T20I against them. We believe that AfghanAtalan are no longer underdogs & have excelled well in the recent past and we look forward to a highly competitive series against India.”

Afghanistan’s Squad for the three-match T20I Series against India: Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan.

Super Cola Beverages Manufacturing Company, Etisalat Afghanistan Telecommunication Company, Lava Mobile and Intex Technologies have secured the sponsorship rights for various categories associated with the Afghanistan National Team for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India, which is scheduled to take place from January 11 to 17 in Mohali, Indore, and Bengaluru, respectively.

Series Schedule:

Jan 11, 2024:  1st T20 International Match -  Mohali

Dec 31, 2023:  2nd T20 International Match -  Indore

Jan 02, 2024:  3rd T20 International Match -  Bengaluru

(With inputs from press release)