IND Vs AFG: Rashid Khan Ruled Out Of T20I Series vs India, Confirms Ibrahim Zadran

Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran has confirmed that premium All-Rounder Rashid Khan is all set to miss the 3-match T20I series in India, which is slated to start from tomorrow onwards at Mohali. This development will come as a big blow for Afghanistan as this particular series was important for them from a preparatory point of view for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.

Rashid Khan was initially included in Afghanistan’s squad for the series against India. However, Rashid is yet to fully recover from his lower back injury which saw him pull out of the ongoing Big Bash League and Afghanistan’s T20I series against UAE as well.

The 25-year-old is perhaps the most experienced player in the Afghanistan squad and was definitely going to play a key role for the team in this series. He has a wealth of experience while playing in Indian conditions, having been a part of the Indian Premier League set up for a long time now.

He has played in almost every stadium in the Country and his presence in the team would have given Afghanistan slight chances of avoiding a possible white wash. Even if Rashid Khan had been there in the team there were no guarantees or clear cut reasons as to why India wouldn’t have dominated them.

After all Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s star player and continues to be the poster boy. He has inspired many to take up cricket professionally and the National team has also improved with each passing year. It will be fair to say that every Afghanistan team plan revolves around him but they are definitely going to find it difficult against a star studded Indian squad.

“Rashid was there in the UAE as well, watching those games from the stands. He was a part of the four reserves of Afghanistan during the UAE tour. So, for this India tour also, he appears doubtful for a place in the XI. Maybe one can see him in one of the three games, but that too, only if he resumes full-throttle training.” – an internal ACB source claimed.

Rashid Khan To Skip SA T20 But He Will Return For IPL In March

Internal sources from the Afghanistan Cricket board are claiming that Rashid Khan will miss the entire 2nd season of SAT20 which starts from tonight. He was a part of the MI Cape Town squad led by West Indies legend Kieron Pollard. It was also said that he is first aiming to recover fully from his lower back injury before returning to the field.

His said comeback is most likely to happen through IPL 2024 where he will represent the Gujarat Titans for the 3rd season in a row. “He could skip the SA20 as well. It may so happen that he waits till the IPL begins, which should help in his preparation for the T20 World Cup.” – the source concluded.