Afghanistan is gearing up to challenge the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup champions, India, in the first of a three-match T20 International series.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, 2026, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, with the match commencing at 7:30 PM IST. This series marks Afghanistan’s official home fixture, with matches being played in India as part of their Future Tours Programme.
Under the fresh captaincy of Ibrahim Zadran, who takes the full-time T20I reins for the first time, Afghanistan will be eager to break their winless streak against India in the shortest format. India, led by Shreyas Iyer, boasts a dominant 8-0 head-to-head record against Afghanistan in nine T20Is, with one match ending in a no-result. The last time these two nations met in a T20I series was in January 2024, which India clinched 3-0, including a tied third T20I which India won after two Super Overs.
Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI
Afghanistan is expected to field a robust side, balancing aggressive batting with a potent spin attack, a hallmark of their T20 strategy. The predicted XI for the opening T20I reflects a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent.
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Sediqullah Atal | Batter |
| Ibrahim Zadran (c) | Batter (Captain) |
| Darwish Rasooli | Batter |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder |
| Rashid Khan | Leg-break Bowler |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | Right-arm Fast-Medium |
| Noor Ahmad | Left-arm Chinaman |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Off-break Bowler |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Left-arm Fast-Medium |
Opening the innings are likely to be the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who also takes the gloves, and Sediqullah Atal, an emerging top-order option. Captain Ibrahim Zadran is set to anchor the innings at number three, providing stability. The middle order features power-hitters like Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, and the seasoned Mohammad Nabi, all capable of accelerating the scoring.
The spin department is Afghanistan’s traditional strength, with the formidable trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman expected to exploit the Delhi conditions. The pace attack will be spearheaded by the left-arm fast-medium Fazalhaq Farooqi, supported by the returning Naveen-ul-Haq, who has recovered from a shoulder injury.
This series presents a golden opportunity for Afghanistan to test their mettle against one of cricket’s powerhouse teams and for individual players to make a statement on the international stage. India, having recently retained their T20 World Cup title, will aim to continue their dominant form at home.