The Afghanistan cricket team faces a significant setback as star legspinner Rashid Khan is ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against India. Despite traveling with the team, Rashid is still in recovery from a lower-back surgery that has sidelined him from competitive cricket, including the Big Bash League (BBL) and the SA20.
Team captain Ibrahim Zadran confirmed Rashid’s absence, stating that although he is with the squad, he is not match-fit. The legspinner’s last appearance was in the ODI World Cup in October-November, and he missed Afghanistan’s recent T20I series against UAE. The team hopes for his swift recovery but acknowledges the challenge of competing without his invaluable experience.
In Rashid’s absence, Afghanistan’s spin department will rely on the expertise of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf. Qais, in particular, has assumed a crucial role in Rashid’s stead, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the recent UAE series with impressive stats.
Afghanistan, led by Ibrahim Zadran, recognizes the difficulty of playing against India on their home turf but remains optimistic about showcasing their skills. The skipper expressed confidence in the team’s T20 abilities and anticipated a competitive series against a formidable Indian side.
The three-match T20I series kicks off in Mohali on Thursday, with subsequent matches scheduled in Indore and Bangalore on January 14 and 17, respectively. Afghanistan aims to put up a strong fight against India, relying on their talented squad to make an impact in the challenging series.
In summary, Rashid Khan’s absence poses a notable challenge for Afghanistan, but the team remains determined to deliver a competitive performance against India in the upcoming T20I series.
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