This decision comes after his doctor’s recommendation following a back surgery last year.
As a result, Rashid will miss the upcoming one-match Test series against New Zealand, set to take place from September 9-13 in Greater Noida, India. His participation in the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in December, along with three ODIs and three T20Is, is also uncertain.
ACB’s Chief Executive, Naseeb Khan, shared the news with Cricbuzz, saying, “After Rashid Khan’s back surgery last year, his doctors advised him to avoid long-format cricket, like Test matches, for a year.”
“We are hopeful that he will be available for the two Tests against Zimbabwe in December,” he added.
Despite recent reports suggesting that Rashid was injured during the Shpageeza Cricket League 2024, Naseeb Khan denied these claims, confirming that Rashid is fit and will be available for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates from September 18 to 22.
“We are happy to report that during the Shpageeza tournament, Rashid did not suffer any injuries and completed his matches successfully. He is in good health and will be fully available for the upcoming series against South Africa,” he said.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s 20-member preliminary squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand has already arrived in Noida to begin their preparations.
Afghanistan’s preliminary squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad, and Yama Arab.
