The right-arm pacer last played for Afghanistan in December 2024 against Zimbabwe before suffering a stress fracture in his right shoulder. The injury ruled him out of subsequent T20I assignments and Afghanistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup campaign.
Naveen underwent surgery in England and later required a second procedure for labrum repair. His lengthy rehabilitation proved challenging, with the fast bowler describing the period away from cricket as a lonely and difficult experience.
“The stress fracture healed itself within eight to ten weeks. But I had a second surgery for labrum repair,” Naveen said.
The pacer admitted that watching Afghanistan compete without him was particularly difficult and made him reflect on the importance of playing the game while he can.
Naveen retired from ODI cricket in 2023 due to injury concerns, but remains an important part of Afghanistan’s T20I setup. He enjoyed an impressive 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, taking 13 wickets at an average of 12.30 and an economy rate of 6.00.
His return comes at an important time for Afghanistan, with Ibrahim Zadran taking charge as the team’s full-time T20I captain. The India series will be Zadran’s first assignment as captain in the format.
The three T20Is will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17. Naveen believes Afghanistan’s current squad has a strong core of players who have grown through the Under-19 system together and gained valuable experience in franchise cricket around the world.
