Star Afghanistan cricketer, Rashid Khan has been among the headlines after he took a break from Test cricket after a medical advice due to “ongoing injury issues”. The Afghan all-rounder did not find himself in the 20-member preliminary squad, set to face New Zealand in one-off Test in Great Noida in India early next month.
However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) official informed ESPNcricinfo that the 25-year-old “has taken a break from Tests for now” with the ongoing struggles with injury, the ACB CEO, Naseeb Khan has now confirmed Khan’s return date. “Following 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 pleased to report that during the Shpageeza tournament, Rashid did not experience any injuries and successfully completed his matches,” Khan told TOI.
Rashid Khan will be available for South Africa series: ACB CEO Naseeb Khan
The ACB CEO further added that the Afghan all-rounder is in good health, while adding that he will return in the South Africa ODI series. “He is in good health and will be fully available for the upcoming event against South Africa,” he told TOI.
It is to be noted that Khan last played a Test match in March 2021 and hasn’t featured in the 50-over games since the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The 25-year-old had undergone a back surgery after the ODI World Cup 2023 and was ruled out of the next four months, including the Big Bash League (BBL), SA20, Afghanistan’s international assignments against UAE, India, Sri Lanka and Ireland. Meanwhile, he has been continuously seen in the shortest format of the game.