Rashid Khan Returns to Afghanistan's Test Team After Nearly Four Years, Set to Play Red-Ball Cricket

Star spinner Rashid Khan is set to return to Test cricket for Afghanistan after nearly four years. He has been included in Afghanistan's squad for the two-match series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Rashid last played a Test match in March 2021 against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. Since then, he has been absent from red-ball cricket. Now, the 26-year-old spinner is eager to make his comeback against the same opponent. He has been named in the 18-member squad for the series starting on December 26.

While Rashid has played over 200 matches for Afghanistan in white-ball formats, he has featured in only five Test matches so far, taking 34 wickets at an average of 22.35 in this format.

Rashid Khan’s return strengthens Afghanistan’s Test squad, which also features seven new players. Among the debutants are top-order batter Sediqullah Atal, pace-bowling all-rounder Ismat Alam, and left-arm spinner Zahir Shehzad.

Ahmad Shah Sulaimankhail, Afghanistan's interim chief selector, expressed excitement over Rashid’s return, noting that the squad is well-prepared to perform against Zimbabwe.

On Rashid’s inclusion, Sulaimankhail remarked, “Rashid Khan’s return to the Test squad is a positive sign for our red-ball cricket.”

He also added, “The rest of the team recently underwent good preparations in Nangarhar Province. A training camp was held with 19 players and all support staff. We closely monitored the camp's activities and selected the squad based on performance. New players such as Ismat Alam, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad have been included after excelling in the Ahmad Shah Abdali FC Tournament.”

Afghanistan Test Squad Against Zimbabwe:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-captain), Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper), Afsar Zazai (Wicketkeeper), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Bahir Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik.

Reserves: Nasir Jamal, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Ibrahim Abdurrahimzai.

Zimbabwe-Afghanistan Test Series Schedule:

First Test: December 26-30, Bulawayo
Second Test: January 2-6, Bulawayo.