IND vs AFG: Afghanistan Spinner Rashid Khan Ruled Out Of T20I Series Against India

Add as a preferred source on Google

Afghanistan is set to miss the services of Rashid Khan in the T20Is against India as the key spinner, who is still recovering from a back surgery, has been ruled out of the three-match series, scheduled to start on Thursday (January 11).

Rashid, who has missed action since the completion of the ODI World Cup in November last year, has travelled with the squad to Chandigarh, where the series opener is set to be played, but will not feature, as per the newli-appointed captain Ibrahim Zadran.

Rashid missed Afghanistan's most recent assignment, a 2-1 T20I series victory over the UAE at the beginning of the year, and hasn't participated in a competitive match since the ODI World Cup. He also withdrew from the ongoing Big Bash League due to the surgery.

"He is not totally fit, but is travelling with the team. We hope that he gets fit as soon as we expect him to. He's doing his rehab with the doctor, and we will miss him in the series," Ibrahim was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"Without Rashid, we will struggle because his experience is crucial to all of us, but this is cricket and you need to be ready for any kind of situation."

Apart from Rashid, Afghanistan's spin attack for the series against India will include Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad and Sharafuddin Ashraf. So, with pretty good options available, skipper Zadran is expecting the other spinners to deliver in Rashid's absence.

"We have enough firepower (in the spin department). The other spinners have played enough and have handled difficult situations. (Mohammad) Nabi is the senior-most in our team," Ibrahim said.

Afghanistan's maiden bilateral series will kick off on January 11 in Mohali. The second game will be played on January 14 in Indore and the series will conclude on January 17 in Bengaluru.

Rashid is likely to play in Afghanistan's next T20 assignments during tour to Sri Lanka, where they will play three matches, and a three-match home series against Ireland in UAE next month.

These six matches will be the last international T20 matches for Afghanistan before the T20 World Cup 2024. So, Afghanistan will hope their premier spinner is ready for the show-piece as Rashid is also expected to feature for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024.