Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq returns after a lengthy injury lay-off for the three-match T20I series against India.

Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq is set to make his long-awaited return to international cricket when Afghanistan face India in a three-match T20I series in Delhi.

The 26-year-old has endured an extended period on the sidelines because of injuries but has returned to Afghanistan’s national squad after recovering from a stress fracture in his right shoulder. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed his inclusion in the squad for the series against India.

Naveen opens up about difficult rehabilitation

Speaking about his recovery, Naveen told ESPNcricinfo that the rehabilitation process was particularly challenging.

“It is lonely. It’s a very tough time for a person.”

He revealed that his stress fracture healed within eight to 10 weeks, but he subsequently underwent a second operation to repair a labral injury.

“For the first six weeks of rehab in the UK, I had to sit while sleeping,” Naveen said.

The fast bowler’s return comes after he was ruled out of Afghanistan’s T20I series against the West Indies and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup because of the shoulder injury.

Naveen’s rise as Afghanistan’s death-overs specialist

Naveen made his Afghanistan debut in 2016 in an ODI against Bangladesh at the age of just 17.

He later captained Afghanistan at the ICC Under-19 World Cup, guiding the side to their first-ever knockout-stage appearance before their campaign ended with a semi-final defeat against Australia.

The paceman has since established himself as one of Afghanistan’s leading death-overs specialists.

During the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, Naveen played a key role in Afghanistan’s historic run to the semi-finals, claiming 13 wickets at an average of 12.30 and an economy rate of 6.00.

Naveen reflects on missing Afghanistan’s big moments

Naveen was initially included in Afghanistan’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup but was ruled out because of his stress fracture.

He admitted that watching Afghanistan’s dramatic double-super-over contest against South Africa in Ahmedabad from the sidelines was heartbreaking.

“I had the feeling that if I was there for the team, maybe I could have done something different in the death overs,” he said.

Naveen also reflected on his decision to retire from ODI cricket in 2023, which was influenced by concerns over his fitness and recurring injuries.

Afghanistan’s new generation targets India

Despite Afghanistan having defeated every Test-playing nation in international cricket except India, Naveen believes the current side has the ability to compete strongly.

He also highlighted the continuity within the squad, with many players having progressed through the Afghanistan Under-19 system together since 2018.

“In this generation, you will see nine or ten players who have been playing for Afghanistan since the Under-19s together, since 2018,” he said.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are among the familiar names from that generation.

Afghanistan will be led by Ibrahim Zadran, who is taking charge as the team’s full-time T20I captain for the first time.

Naveen focused on making most of comeback

Now focused on returning to competitive cricket, Naveen said he wants to make the most of his time on the field despite the physical demands of fast bowling.

“We have to play as much cricket as we can, but one day, it’s all going to end,” he said.

“Everyone has to leave, and we’re going to miss it as a cricketer. We have to play, get on the ground, feel the pressure.”

Afghanistan vs India T20I series schedule

All three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, with Afghanistan hosting India as part of their Future Tours Programme.

• First T20I: September 13, 2026 — Delhi

• Second T20I: September 15, 2026 — Delhi

• Third T20I: September 17, 2026 — Delhi

Naveen’s return adds further experience and depth to an Afghanistan attack preparing to face an India side led by Shreyas Iyer in a series that marks the first bilateral T20I meeting between the two teams since January 2024.