Rashid Returns to Afghanistan's Test Squad for Zimbabwe Tour

Rashid Khan, the 26-year-old leg-spinner, has been named in Afghanistan's squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe. After a prolonged groin injury, Rashid makes a comeback to the Test format, having last played against Zimbabwe in 2021.

The squad, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, includes 18 members with as many as seven uncapped players. Among them are left-arm seamer Bashir Ahmad and allrounder Ismat Alam, who have been rewarded for their domestic cricket performances.

The uncapped trio of Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and Riaz Hassan, who were picked for the one-off Test against New Zealand in September, have also been included.

Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB's interim chief selector, stated, "Rashid Khan's return to the Test squad is a positive sign for our red-ball game's future. The team recently had good preparations in Nangarhar province, with 19 players and all support staff. We have picked the squad based on recent Ahmad Shah Abdali first-class tournament performances, including Ismat Alam, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad."

Hamid Hassan will serve as head coach for the series, with Jonathan Trott absent due to personal reasons. Bulawayo will host both Tests, starting on Boxing Day.

Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Ikram Alikhail (wk), Afsar Zazai (wk), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad, Naveed Zadran, and Fareed Ahmad Malik