The 39-year-old Cremer last represented in an ODI against UAE in March 2018 but then relocated to Dubai, where his wife worked as an airline pilot.
He returned back home earlier this year and took part in club cricket competitions with a view to a national call-up.
Cremer is the only change to the Zimbabwe squad that qualified for the T20 World Cup, replacing fast bowler Trevor Gwandu from the group that won the African qualifying section.
Sean Williams remains unavailable as he "continues to attend to personal matters", according to a press release from Zimbabwe Cricket.
The three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starts on 29 October with all games set to be played at the Harare Sports Club.
The T20 World Cup will take place in India and Sri Lanka and will comprise 20 teams. It is likely to be held between February and March next year.
Zimbabwe T20I squad: Sikandar Raza (capt), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor
Richard Ngarava took five wickets in the second innings as Zimbabwe completed an innings and 73-run victory against Afghanistan on the third day of the one-off Test played in Harare.
Zimbabwe and Namibia sealed their spots at next year's ICC T20 World Cup after victories in the Africa Qualifier semifinals against Kenya and Tanzania, respectively, in Harare.
Zimbabwe will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match and three T20Is, starting later this month, the African country's cricket board has confirmed.
Sri Lanka tuned up for the upcoming Asia Cup with a T20I series victory against Zimbabwe after beating the hosts by eight wickets in third match in Harare.
