Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan, known for his remarkable performances in Test cricket, has been surprisingly left out of the initial 20-member squad for the upcoming Test match against New Zealand. The match, scheduled to be held from September 9 to 13 in Greater Noida, has raised eyebrows due to the exclusion of Afghanistan’s highest wicket-taker in this format.
Rashid Khan’s Impressive Test Record
Rashid Khan’s omission from the squad is unexpected, given his exceptional record in Test cricket. In just five Test matches, Rashid has taken 34 wickets at an impressive average of 22.35, including four five-wicket hauls. His last appearance in a Test match was in 2021 against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi, where he showcased his talent by claiming 11 wickets. Rashid’s ability to turn the game with both ball and bat has made him a key player for Afghanistan, and his absence from the squad has left fans and cricket analysts alike questioning the decision.
Other Key Players Missing from the Squad
In addition to Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has also left out two other notable players, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Karim Jannat. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, known for his explosive batting at the top of the order, has been instrumental in giving Afghanistan quick starts in various formats. Karim Jannat, another seasoned all-rounder, is also missing from the squad. The absence of these key players has added to the speculation surrounding the team’s strategy for the upcoming Test match.
Afghanistan’s Squad for the New Zealand Test
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has announced that the final 15-member squad will be selected after a week-long preparation camp in Greater Noida. The current 20-member squad includes several experienced players, as well as some fresh faces looking to make their mark in Test cricket.
The squad is led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, who will captain the team, and includes the following players:
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Riaz Hasan
- Abdul Malik
- Rahmat Shah
- Baheer Shah Mehboob
- Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper)
- Shahidullah Kamal
- Gulbadin Naib
- Afsar Zazai (Wicketkeeper)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Ziaur Rahman Akbar
- Shamsur Rahman
- Qais Ahmed
- Zahir Khan
- Nijat Masood
- Fareed Ahmed Malik
- Naveed Zadran
- Khalil Ahmed
- Yam Arab
This squad features a mix of experience and youth, with players like Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib providing the much-needed stability in the batting and all-rounder departments. The presence of young talents like Ibrahim Zadran and Qais Ahmed adds depth to the squad, offering a glimpse of Afghanistan’s cricketing future.
Preparation and Strategy
The decision to exclude Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Karim Jannat might indicate a strategic shift by the Afghanistan team management as they prepare for their clash against New Zealand. The upcoming training camp in Greater Noida will be crucial in determining the final squad composition, as the team management looks to balance experience with the energy and enthusiasm of younger players.
Afghanistan’s Test match against New Zealand is an important fixture, as it will test the team’s adaptability and skills in the longer format of the game. With the match being held in Greater Noida, the conditions will be familiar to many players, potentially giving Afghanistan a slight home advantage, despite being away from home soil.
What Lies Ahead
As the team prepares for the challenging task of facing New Zealand, fans are eager to see how Afghanistan will perform without some of their star players. The final squad announcement after the training camp will shed more light on the team’s strategy and whether any of the currently excluded players, such as Rashid Khan, might still find their way into the final lineup.
