Afghanistan’s star leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, will be sidelined due to injury in the upcoming three-match Twenty20 series against India. Despite his absence, Captain Ibrahim Zadran expressed confidence in the team’s depth of experience.
Rashid’s Ongoing Struggle
Rashid, who underwent lower-back surgery in November, remains part of the travelling squad, though he is not in peak condition. Zadran addressed concerns, stating,
Without Rashid, we would struggle, but not excessively. His experience is crucial for us, but cricket demands readiness for any situation.
Afghan Spin Arsenal
Rashid, the linchpin of Afghanistan’s formidable spin attack alongside Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi, faces the challenge of overcoming India on their home turf.
Rashid’s Fitness Concerns Amidst Team Travel
Rashid, the linchpin of Afghanistan’s formidable spin attack alongside Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi, faces the challenge of overcoming India on their home turf. The series serves as a vital preparation for the T20 World Cup in June. Afghanistan anticipates tough competition against a strong Indian side featuring captain Rohit Sharma and batsman Virat Kohli. Acknowledging the difficulty of playing in India, Zadran expressed optimism, stating,
We came here to play well against them and showcase our skills. We have plenty of T20 talent and I am confident they will perform admirably.
After an impressive performance in the ODI World Cup, Zadran highlighted the raised expectations, saying, “Not only Afghanistan, but people worldwide expect a lot from us now. We aim to meet these expectations by playing positive cricket and displaying our skills on the field.”
