Rashid Khan has returned to the Afghanistan Test team for the Zimbabwe series.

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 Who oversaw the ODI portion of the team’s multi-format tour of Zimbabwe, has withdrawn from subsequent tour formats.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

Australia confirms its schedule for the visit of Sri Lanka.

In January and February of 2025, Australia will travel to Sri Lanka for a one-time ODI and a two-match Test series. The two matches are part of the World Test Championship, and the Test series starts on January 29.

Galle will host both Test matches; the first match is set to start on January 29 and the second Test starts on February 6. The ODI is scheduled for February 13. Less than a week before the Champions Trophy kicks off, and the location has not yet been announced.

In June and July of 2022, Australia last traveled to Sri Lanka for a Test series. Which ended in a 1-1 draw. Sri Lanka won the second Test in that series by an innings. While Australia won the first Test by ten wickets.

Sri Lanka is currently in third place in the WTC rankings, while Australia is in second place.

The India Test Series, Steve Smith will return to the No 4 position.

In the forthcoming Test series against India, veteran Australian batsman Steve Smith will take the field at number four, his preferred spot, following a brief stint as an opener.

National selector George Bailey revealed on Monday that veteran Australia batsman Steve Smith will be back at his preferred number four spot in the forthcoming Test series against India, following a brief stint as an opener. Following the retirement of starting pitcher David Warner earlier this year, Smith volunteered to start the innings. In just his second Test match in the new role, the 35-year-old scored an undefeated 91 runs. But he struggled in the series against New Zealand, managing just 51 runs in four innings.

Bailey verified that Smith will return to his preferred slot, as chosen by head coach Andrew McDonald and captain Pat Cummins.

After all-rounder Cameron Green, who had taken over Smith’s role at No. 4, decided to have a lower back surgery that would sideline him for six months, Smith had the chance to return to his previous position.

Steve has stated that he would like to return to his starting position, and Pat and Andrew have verified that he will be returning to his starting position for the summer. India will play Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which begins in Perth on November 22.