Afghanistan’s best spinner, Rashid Khan will play his first Test match in over three years. After being picked for the upcoming two-Test series in Zimbabwe.
Rashid had previously taken a medically recommended hiatus from the longest format due to a groin problem. In March 2021, Rashid faced Zimbabwe in his final Test match in Abu Dhabi.
The team’s seven uncapped players are left-arm fast Bashir Ahmad Afghan, left-arm spinner Zahir Shehzad, and all-rounder Ismat Alam. In addition to Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Riaz Hassan, and Sediqullah Atal. Who have not yet represented Afghanistan in Test cricket. The trio has been honored for their impressive domestic exploits. However, the roster for the one-time Test match against New Zealand featured Riaz, Fareed, and Omarzai. In September of this year.
Rashid Khan
Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, the ACB’s acting chief selector, stated in a statement, “Rashid Khan’s return to the Test squad is a promising sign for our red-ball game going forward.” “The rest of the team had good preparations lately in Nangarhar province. Which featured 19 players and all the support staff to work with the players and assure full preparation for the series.
After closely observing the action, we selected the team. Which contains a number of fresh talent like Ismat Alam, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad. Who all did well in the most recent Ahmad Shah Abdali first-class competition.
Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, and Nasir Jamal will join the team as backups in the interim.
For personal reasons, Afghanistan’s head coach Jonathan Trott. Who oversaw the ODI portion of the team’s multi-format tour of Zimbabwe, has withdrawn from subsequent tour formats. The team will continue to be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, with Rahmat Shah serving as his deputy.
Both Test matches will take place in Bulawayo. Where the series will take place from December 26 to January 6.
Afghanistan Test squad
Ikram Alikhail (wk), Afsar Zazai (wk), Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, and Fareed Ahmad Malik
