According to the recommendation of his doctor, Rashid Khan won’t be fit to play in a Test match until November 2024, an official from the Afghanistan Cricket Board stated 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. Nonetheless, Naseeb Khan, the chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, stated on Friday that optimism remains high.
Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Naseeb Khan told on Friday that “after 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.” “We are hoping that he will available for the two Tests against Zimbabwe in December,” he stated.
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 allegations.
“We are happy to announce that Rashid played all of his bouts without suffering any injuries during the Shpageeza tournament. He will be completely available for the forthcoming match against South Africa and is in good health,” he continued.
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In the meantime, the 20-man preliminary team arrived in Noida for training ahead of the one-off Test match against New Zealand.
The 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.
India
