No Place For Rashid Khan As Afghanistan Announce Squad For New Zealand Test

Afghanistan will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi [X.com]

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced the 16-member squad for one-off Test match against New Zealand, set to commence on September 9 in Greater Noida, India. This marks the first-ever Test between the two sides.

Afghanistan will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, stepping up in the absence of star player Rashid Khan, who has been sidelined for the year following a medical recommendation after undergoing back surgery.

Rashid Khan, a pivotal figure in Afghanistan's cricket history, last featured in a Test match in 2021 against Zimbabwe. His absence is a major blow to the team, as his world-class spin could have posed a serious challenge to the New Zealand batsmen.

Earlier this morning, promising pacer Naveed Zadran was ruled out due to a side strain, further depleting Afghanistan's already fragile bowling strength.

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Meanwhile, the New Zealand team has already arrived in India for the upcoming match against Afghanistan. 

Afghanistan Squad For The One-off Test Against New Zealand:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Afsar Zazai (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Baheer Shah Mahboob, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shams Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Qais Ahmad, Khalil Ahmad, Nijat Masood

New Zealand's Squad For The One-off Test Against Afghanistan:

New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (vc), Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young. 

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