Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Afghanistan have finally announced their squads for the upcoming tour of India, with star leg-spinner Rashid Khan left out of the one-off Test squad but returning for the ODI series later in June.
The Gujarat Titans spinner had already hinted at his likely absence from the red-ball fixture earlier this season. Speaking after a match-winning spell against Delhi Capitals during IPL 2026, Rashid revealed that doctors had advised him to stay away from Test cricket because of his long-standing back issues.
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“The first thing the doctor told me was to stay away from red-ball cricket,” Rashid had said after the IPL clash in Delhi, admitting that the physical demands of the format were becoming increasingly difficult to manage following back surgery.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board on Tuesday named a 15-member squad for the solitary Test against India, while also confirming Hashmatullah Shahidi as captain for both the red-ball and white-ball sides for the tour, scheduled from June 6 to June 20.
Afghanistan will begin the assignment with a one-off Test in New Chandigarh from June 6 to 10 before the teams move into a three-match ODI series. The ODIs will be played in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai on June 14, 17 and 20 respectively.
Rashid, who has not featured in Test cricket since March 2024, was omitted from the squad for the red-ball fixture. The 27-year-old, however, has been included in Afghanistan’s ODI squad alongside veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi as the visitors look to field a full-strength side in the 50-over series.
The selectors have retained the core of the batting unit for the Test match, with Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai expected to shoulder the responsibility in the middle order. Wicketkeepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil have also been included in the squad.
Afghanistan’s spin attack for the Test will be led by Sharafudin Ashraf and Qais Ahmad, while Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi and Saleem Safi will spearhead the pace department.
For the ODI series, Afghanistan have strengthened the batting lineup with the return of opener Ibrahim Zadran along with Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli.
The ODI bowling attack also features young mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who earned a recall after a breakthrough season in the IPL with Mumbai Indians. Ghazanfar impressed during the tournament, claiming 15 wickets in 11 matches.
Afghanistan will officially kick off the bilateral tour with the Test match in New Chandigarh before travelling across the country for the ODI leg of the series.
Afghanistan Test squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi.
Reserve Pool: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, Ismat Alam.
Afghanistan ODI squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami.
Reserve Pool: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
