Afghanistan takes on India in a three-match T20I series set to commence on September 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This is a historic series for the Afghan side, who will be looking to pick up a result against one of the top sides in the shortest formats.

Despite the series being held in Delhi, Afghanistan will be playing host and will be looking to use this series as a platform for the Asian Games set to commence later in the month. Possessing a team of players who have gone on to become stars in the T20 format across franchise leagues in the world, they come into this series with much hope and potential to cause a significant upset.

Here is Afghanistan’s predicted playing XI for T20Is vs India:

Top order: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Sediqullah Atal

Wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been a key presence for the Afghanistan side across formats. He has been in stellar form with the bat, scoring runs in T20 leagues across the world and would be looking to continue that run in Afghanistan colours. He will be partnered at the top of the order by Ibrahim Zadran, for whom this will be the first series as captain of the side.

Left-handed batter Sediqullah Atal was once regarded as one of the country’s most talented batting prospects, and has slowly established himself as a key feature across the formats for Afghanistan. Batting at one-drop, he is cautious and watchful in his approach, but can also land a fair share of big blows.

Middle order: Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi

Darwish Rasooli is a reliable middle-order batter for the side and has been a regular feature for Afghanistan in the T20I format. Azmatullah Omarzai has become one of Afghanistan’s key players and is their seam-bowling all-rounder. He is the regular new-ball option, while also contributing in the death overs and is one of the most reliable batters in the middle order for the side. He will be looking to have a big series.

Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi are two vital experienced all-rounders who offer flexibility and balance to the side. The pair are both big-hitters who can move the scoreboard with lofty blows and offer handy bowling options with their medium pace and off-spin bowling, respectively.

Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Rashid Khan is once again expected to lead Afghanistan’s bowling attack. The wily leg spinner is the leading wicket-taker in T20 internationals with 193 scalps and will be looking to add more wickets to that tally. Alongside Rashid, the Afghans have two more reliable spin options: Noor Ahmad’s left-arm wrist spin and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman’s off-spin. Mujeeb even operates with the new ball on occasions, allowing for more flexibility with the bowling.

Left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi adds the difference point to this attack. A reliable new-ball bowler, who can make inroads with his movement and left-arm angle, Farooqi will be expected to set the game up with wickets upfront.

Predicted Afghanistan XI for T20I series against India:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran (c), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.