Afghanistan Announce Squads For India Tour; Rashid Khan, Gurbaz Headline ODI And Test Teams

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has unveiled its squads for the upcoming multi-format tour of India, with experienced campaigners and rising youngsters combining to form a balanced unit for the high-profile assignment.

Afghanistan will tour India for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series in June 2026, marking another major chapter in the growing cricketing rivalry between the two Asian nations.

The squads continue to revolve around senior stars such as Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, while also offering opportunities to several emerging names in Afghanistan's evolving talent pipeline.

Hashmatullah Shahidi Continues To Lead Afghanistan's Transition

Hashmatullah Shahidi will captain Afghanistan in both formats during the India tour as the left-handed batter continues to anchor the team's leadership structure.

Shahidi has become Afghanistan's most reliable red-ball batter in recent years and remains central to their hopes of competing strongly in challenging overseas conditions. The selectors have once again trusted his calm leadership style alongside a core group that includes Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai.

The ODI squad appears largely settled with most of Afghanistan's established white-ball names retained, while the Test squad carries a slightly different composition suited for longer-format cricket in Indian conditions.

Rashid Khan And Mohammad Nabi Remain Afghanistan's Biggest Weapons

Much of Afghanistan's challenge against India will once again depend on the experience and quality of Rashid Khan and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.

Rashid remains one of the most dangerous T20 and ODI bowlers in world cricket and is expected to play a critical role on surfaces likely to assist spin. His ability to attack through the middle overs could become Afghanistan's biggest tactical advantage against India's powerful batting lineup.

Nabi, meanwhile, continues to provide invaluable balance despite entering the latter stages of his international career. His experience in Indian conditions through years of IPL cricket makes him one of Afghanistan's most important senior figures heading into the series.

Gurbaz Headlines Explosive Afghanistan Batting Unit

The aggressive batting unit will once again be led by wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz. He has rapidly evolved into one of Afghanistan's most explosive white-ball batters and already enjoys massive familiarity with Indian conditions thanks to his extensive franchise cricket exposure.

Alongside him, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah will provide stability, while youngsters such as Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli continue to gain exposure at the international level.

Afghanistan's selectors have also shown confidence in their next generation by including young batters like Abdul Malik and Rahmanullah Zadran in the Test setup.

Afghanistan Continue To Build Strong Spin Depth

Afghanistan's spin-heavy strategy remains clearly visible from the squad composition. Apart from Rashid Khan, the selectors have included Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Ghazanfar, Qais Ahmad and Sharafudin Ashraf across the two squads.

One of the most exciting inclusions is teenage off-spinner Allah Ghazanfar, who has emerged as one of Afghanistan's brightest young prospects over the past year. The youngster's rapid development has already attracted significant attention in franchise cricket circuits.

Indian conditions could encourage Afghanistan to field multiple spinners simultaneously, especially during the Test match where control and patience will become extremely important.

Afsar Zazai Returns To Test Squad

The Test squad also marks the return of experienced wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai. Zazai was part of Afghanistan's historic inaugural Test match against India in 2018 and brings valuable red-ball experience to the squad. Alongside Ikram Alikhil, Afghanistan now possess multiple wicketkeeping options for the longer format.

The management appears keen to strengthen depth in specialist positions as Afghanistan continue their long-term development in Test cricket.

Afghanistan ODI Squad vs India

Main ODI Squad

1. Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
3. Ibrahim Zadran
4. Sediqullah Atal
5. Darwish Rasooli
6. Rahmat Shah
7. Ikram Alikhil (WK)
8. Mohammad Nabi
9. Azmatullah Omarzai
10. Rashid Khan
11. Nangyal Kharoti
12. Allah Ghazanfar
13. Zia-ur-Rahman Sharifi
14. Fareed Malik
15. Bilal Sami

Reserves

• Qais Ahmad
• Saleem Safi
• Bashir Ahmad

Afghanistan Test Squad vs India

Main Squad

1. Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
2. Abdul Malik
3. Sediqullah Atal
4. Rahmat Shah
5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
6. Rahmanullah Zadran
7. Afsar Zazai (WK)
8. Ikram Alikhil (WK)
9. Azmatullah Omarzai
10. Sharafudin Ashraf
11. Nangyal Kharoti
12. Qais Ahmad
13. Bilal Sami
14. Zia Sharifi
15. Saleem Safi

Reserves

• Bashir Ahmad
• Bahir Shah
• Ismat Alam

India Tour Will Be Another Major Test For Afghanistan

The India tour represents another massive opportunity for Afghanistan to measure their progress against one of world cricket's strongest teams.

While Afghanistan have evolved into a dangerous white-ball side capable of challenging elite nations, the Test match against India will particularly test the depth and maturity of their developing red-ball structure.

With experienced stars, emerging spinners and aggressive young batters all part of the setup, Afghanistan will hope this tour becomes another important step in their cricketing evolution.