IPL Auction 2025: Rashid Khan's return date to international cricket finalised

In what will be a massive boost for the Afghanistan National Cricket Team, Rashid Khan is all set to make his return to Test cricket.

According to reports in Cricbuzz, the premier all-rounder will return to the format in the series against the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team.

Rashid Khan has been away from the Test format due to injury concerns. The premier all-rounder missed the recent one-off Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team to gain full fitness and not take extra load after the back injury that he faced.

Rashid Khan opted out of Test cricket on the advice of his physician

Rashid Khan opted out of Test cricket on his physician's advice; later, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced that the leg-spinner would be staying away from the format. The governing body mentioned that he won't be playing Test cricket till November, and it also raised a lot of doubts over his participation in the Tests against the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team.

Amid all the doubts and speculations, Afghanistan Cricket Board's Chief Executive Naseeb Khan gave a clear picture of Rashid Khan. The top official mentioned that they are very confident that the leg-spinner will be playing the Tests against the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team.

We are confident that Rashid Khan will play for us in the Test series against Zimbabwe - Naseeb Khan

Naseeb Khan admitted that they wanted Rashid to gain full fitness from the back injury before returning to Tests. He claimed that the leg-spinner is completely fit and will be playing for the team. Speaking to Cricbuzz, he explained:

"We are confident that Rashid will play for us in the Test series against Zimbabwe," said Naseeb. "He (Rashid) had a long recovery due to his back surgery and we wanted him to recover fully before taking the load of playing Test cricket. Now he looks fine and ready to feature for us in Test cricket."

Rashid Khan last played in the format back in March 2021 against Zimbabwe. The all-rounder has played 5 matches in the longest format of the game and has taken 34 wickets at an average of 22.35. With the bat, he has mustered 106 runs with the highest score of 51.

Afghanistan National Cricket Team is all set to tour Zimbabwe for the all-format

Afghanistan National Cricket Team is all set to tour Zimbabwe for the all-format tour later this year. The two teams will be locking horns with each other in the two Tests, three ODIs, and as many T20Is.

The tour will begin with 20-over format games to be played on December 9, 11, and 12 at the Harare Sports Club. Following that, the ODIs are also scheduled to take place at the same venue from 15, 17, and 19, respectively.

At last, the Test series will be played in Bulawayo. The first game of the two-match Test series is slated to take place from December 26 to 30, and the final game is to be played from January 2 to 6.