An official from the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced on Friday that Rashid Khan will be unavailable for Test cricket until November 2024, following medical advice from his physician.
Consequently, the star leg-spinner will miss the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand, scheduled from September 9-13 in Greater Noida, India.
Rashid’s participation in the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in December, which also includes three ODIs and three T20Is, remains uncertain.
However, Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Chief Executive, Naseeb Khan, expressed optimism during a conversation with Cricpulse on Friday.
“After Rashid Khan’s back surgery last year, his doctors recommended that he avoid long-format cricket, specifically Test matches, for one year,” Naseeb Khan told Cricpulse.
“We are hopeful that he will be available for the two Tests against Zimbabwe in December,” he added.
Rumors had circulated that Rashid sustained an injury during the recently concluded Shpageeza Cricket League 2024.
Naseeb dismissed these claims, confirming that the all-rounder is fit and available for the three-match ODI series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates from September 18 to 22.
“We are happy to confirm that Rashid completed the Shpageeza tournament without any injuries and is in good health.
He will be fully available for the upcoming series against South Africa,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the 20-member preliminary squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand has arrived in Noida to begin preparations.
The preliminary squad:
Player Name |
---|
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 |
Yama Arab |
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