India and Afghanistan are set to play a three-match T20I series, starting with the first game on Thursday, January 11, in Mohali. Talismanic Afghan spinner Rashid Khan will not be playing in this series as he is still recuperating post a back surgery. However, several players in the Blue Tigers line-up could make a mark in the series. In this article, we take a look at three Afghan players to watch out for in the first T20I.

3. Qais Ahmed – In the absence of Rashid, the onus will be on fellow leg-spinner Qais Ahmed to step up against the strong Indian batting order. The 23-year-old has had an impressive to his T20I career. In eight games, he has picked up 15 wickets, at an average of 9.33 and a strike rate of 9.20. His economy rate is a commendable 6.09. In the recent T20I series against the UAE, Qais finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker with six wickets from three games.

2. Fazalhaq Farooqi – The Indian team has a well-documented history of struggling against quality left-arm seamers. Farooqi can swing the new ball at decent speeds and can cause problems if the conditions are in his favour. So far, in 27 T20Is, Farooqi has picked up 30 wickets, at an average of 21.60 and an economy rate of 6.44. Against the UAE, Farooqi picked up three wickets in as many games and had an impressive economy rate of 5.80.

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz – The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter is known for giving quick starts to not only the Afghanistan team but also the different teams he represents in the various franchise leagues around the world. Gurbaz looked in ominous touch during the T20I series versus the UAE, amassing 141 runs in three outings, at a staggering average of 47 and a formidable strike rate of 169.88.