Afghanistan Squad For India Series: Recovering Rashid Khan Named In 19-Member Contingent

Afghanistan Squad For India Series: Even though Rashid Khan, the team's designated T20I captain has been named in the squad, it is Ibrahim Zadran who will be leading the team in India.

Rashid Khan who is recovering from a back surgery finds his name in Afghanistan's 19-member squad for India series.

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Mujeeb Ur Rahman returned into the team as Afghanistan announced squad for the three-match T20I series against India commencing on January 11. Notably, Mujeeb had not been part of the T20I series against UAE but plied his trade for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL). However, Mujeeb will be back for his national duties with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) revoking the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) issued to him for the rest of the season of Australia's T20 League.

Ibrahim Zadran will lead the team in India after having led the side to a seriers win over UAE with Ikram Alikhil and Rahmanullah Gurbaz being the wicketkeeping options. The side boasts of a strong spin attack, something which has gone on to become a characteristic feature of Affghanistan squads with Mujeeb joining Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Qais Ahmad. Even though Rashid, who is the team's designated T20I skipper finds his name in the 19-member squad, he is unlikely to play a part as he continues to recover from a back surgery.

"We are delighted to be embarking on our maiden tour to India for a three-match series," Mirwais Ashraf, the ACB chairman, said in a statement.

"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," he added.

India's squad for the series has not yet been announced.

Afghanistan T20I Squad For India Series:

Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), 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, Rashid Khan.