As Afghanistan announces a 19-man squad for the India T20Is, Mujeeb ur Rahman makes a return.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed their 19-man team for the T20I series, which will start on January 11 at Mohali’s IS Bindra Stadium and last three matches. Rashid Khan, a regular captain and star wrist spinner, has been included in the squad but may not play in any games while he recovers from back surgery.

Ibrahim Zadran will take over as captain going forward after leading the team to a 2-1 series victory over the UAE last time around. The off-spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman, who rejoins the national team following a fallout with the ACB, is the most noteworthy addition to the group.

Mujeeb, along with two other players, Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqui, had chosen to play in T20 leagues worldwide rather than sign a central contract. Mujeeb was removed from the Melbourne Renegades team for the Big Bash League 2023–24 after the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) punished the three of them and cancelled their NOC (No Objection Certificate).

Following the announcement of the current team, it appears that Mujeeb has also pursued his disagreements with the national board. Naveen and Farooqi were picked for the T20I squad against the UAE because they indicated a desire to play for their country once more.

India and Afghanistan will engage in their inaugural limited-overs series.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s backup wicketkeeper, Ikram Alikhil, who was in the UAE series’ reserves, has been called up to the team. Other than him, the players from the UAE series, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, and Muhammad Ishaq, have been dropped.

It is noteworthy that this will be the first-ever bilateral limited-overs series between Afghanistan and India, as the two sides have only previously played one another in international competitions. Following the first Twenty20 International in Mohali, the next two matches will take place on Wednesday, January 17, in Indore, and on January 14 in Indore.

🚨 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓! 🚨

AfghanAtalan Lineup revealed for the three-match T20I series against @BCCI. 🤩

More 👉: https://t.co/hMGh4OY0Pf | #AfghanAtalan | #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/DqBGmpcIh4

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 6, 2024

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, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan.