Afghanistan’s star and arguably one of the best leg-spinners in the world Rashid Khan is set to miss test cricket until November. Rashid’s exclusion from test cricket came after advice from his physician, as stated by an official of the Afghanistan Cricket Board on Friday.
The renowned leg spinner is therefore unavailable for the forthcoming one-match Test series against New Zealand, which is slated to take place in Greater Noida, India, from September 9–13. Along with three ODIs and as many T20Is, Rashid is also questionable for the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe that is slated for December. Naseeb Khan, the chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, stated on Friday that he is optimistic.
“Following Rashid Khan’s back operation last year, his doctors advised him to refrain from participating in long-format cricket, which is Test cricket, for one year,” Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Chief Executive Naseeb Khan said on Friday. “We are hoping that he will be available for the two Tests against Zimbabwe in December,” he said.
Rashid reportedly sustained an injury while competing in the just-finished Shpageeza Cricket League 2024. The all-rounder is available for the three-match ODI series in the United Arab Emirates from September 18 to 22, according to Naseeb, who refuted the claims.
“We are pleased to report that during the Shpageeza tournament, Rashid did not experience any injuries and successfully completed his matches. He is in good health and will be fully available for the upcoming event against South Africa,” he added.
In the meantime, the 20-man preliminary team arrived in Noida for training ahead of the one-off Test match against New Zealand.
Afghanistan’s preliminary squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad and Yama Arab.
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