Ibrahim Zadran's tenure as Afghanistan's new T20I captain will begin with the upcoming T20I series against India, with the stylish right-hander set to call the shots in the middle. In an exclusive chat with Cricbuzz, Ibrahim opened up about his leadership philosophy and several other aspects of his new role, including his desire to create an environment where experienced players can take responsibility and have a voice in the team.

Were you surprised to be handed the T20I captaincy, or were you prepared to take on the challenge?

I was mentally prepared to take on the T20 captaincy because I had been the vice-captain of the side for a couple of years.

You have been captain in domestic cricket for quite some time. Does that experience mean the captaincy won't come with added pressure for you?

I've been doing the T20 captaincy in domestic competitions, and I had already been named as a standby captain for the national side. Yes, I know I'll face many pressure situations as a captain in international cricket, but I'm ready for that responsibility. For me, the most important thing will be to stay positive, make clear decisions under pressure, and back myself and my team. As a captain, I want to lead from the front, take responsibility when it matters most, and give the team confidence to play with freedom and belief.

It's a new beginning for Afghanistan's leadership group, with Rahmat Shah taking over in ODIs and Tests and you now taking charge in T20Is. Do you feel new captains should be given a considerable amount of time to plan and execute their ideas?

Yes, definitely. I think giving the new captains enough time is very important because leadership is about building a clear vision and then having the time to execute it. For me, the main focus will be to understand the team, build strong relationships with the players and support staff, and create an environment where everyone knows their role and can perform with confidence. If we are given enough time and continuity, I believe we can plan properly, make the right decisions, and build a strong team for the future.

What is your philosophy as a captain, and how would you define success in this role?

My philosophy as a captain is to lead by example, stay positive, and create an environment where every player feels trusted and confident. I want my players to know their roles clearly, but at the same time, I want them to have the freedom to express themselves and play their natural game.

Afghanistan have several experienced players, including Rashid Khan, who are involved in franchise leagues around the world. How do you want them to contribute to the team, given the wealth of experience they bring?

We have a lot of experienced players like Rashid Khan who have played in different franchise leagues around the world, and that experience is a huge asset for Afghanistan cricket. As a captain, I'll make sure we create an environment where experienced players can take responsibility and have a voice in the team. At the same time, I believe everyone has a role to play, regardless of experience. My job will be to bring everyone together, understand what each player can offer, and make sure we use that experience in the best possible way for the team.

What will be the biggest challenge against India? Afghanistan play an entertaining brand of cricket in the shortest format. Do you want the team to continue playing that way, or will you be more calculated in your approach depending on the situation?

I think the biggest challenge against India will be the quality and experience they have across all departments. They have world class players, so we know we'll have to be at our best from the first ball. I always want my team to play positive and entertaining cricket, but that doesn't mean we have to play the same way in every situation. T20 cricket is about adapting to the conditions and the match situation. We'll be aggressive when the opportunity is there, but we also need to be smart and calculated when the situation demands it.

Are you confident that this team has what it takes to win the series against India? And if so, would that be the perfect start to your campaign as the new T20I captain?

Yes, absolutely. We have a very talented and balanced team, and I'm confident that we have the ability to challenge India and win the series. We respect them as a very strong side, but we also believe in our own strengths and the quality we have in our squad. Obviously, winning the series would be a fantastic start for me as the new T20I captain, but my focus is not on personal milestones. My priority is to get the team playing with confidence, give everyone clarity about their roles, and make sure we execute our plans under pressure. If we can do that consistently, hopefully the results will take care of themselves.