Reports | Rashid Khan poised for Test return in Zimbabwe series

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

10/30/2024

Afghanistan star Rashid Khan is set to return for the Test series against Zimbabwe after being sidelined by injury. He missed the recent Test series against New Zealand due to a back injury and initially aimed to make his comeback in white-ball cricket, but lingering issues delayed his return.

‌According to a Cricbuzz report, Rashid Khan will be available for the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe. Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Naseeb Khan confirmed Rashid’s availability for the series. He said, “We are confident Rashid will play for us in the Test series against Zimbabwe. He 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.”

The 24-year-old last appeared in Test cricket in March 2021 against Zimbabwe and is set to return against the same team, with Afghanistan’s tour scheduled for December. Rashid’s comeback provides a significant boost to Afghanistan’s bowling lineup. While the Afghanistan Cricket Board had previously announced his absence from the format until November, there were lingering doubts about his availability for the Zimbabwe series.

In addition, Zimbabwe will host a Boxing Day Test for the first time in 28 years, a traditional fixture in several southern hemisphere nations. The country will also witness its inaugural New Year’s Test, with both matches set to take place in Bulawayo.

The series will begin with a three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club on December 9, 11, and 12.