SL vs AFG | Rashid Khan Ruled Out Of First 2 ODIs Due To Lower-Back Injury
Rashid Khan [Image- Twitter]
In a big blow for the Afghanistan Cricket Team, champion spin-bowling all-rounder Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the first two ODIs of their upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
According to a press release from the ACB, Rashid, who recently featured in the IPL final, has sustained a lower back injury, and "he will remain under full medical observation, and is expected to return for the final ODI on June 7."
Afghanistan is due to lock horns with Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series, starting in Hambantota on Wednesday, June 02.
Rashid's injury means he will be unavailable for selection for the June 02 & June 04 matches, but he is set to return for the finale, which will take place at the same venue on June 07.
Afghanistan will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi in this series, and even though they will not have Rashid at their disposal for the first two games, they still boast of enough firepower in the spin department in the form of Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Mohammad Nabi to bank on.
Rashid, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from what turned out to be a rare tough night for the legendary wrist spinner in the IPL final against the Chennai Super Kings.
In his absence, it will be a perfect opportunity for someone like Noor Ahmed, who was absolutely magical on the night of the IPL final, to make his presence felt at the international level as well.
Afghanistan's squad for Sri Lanka ODIs 2023
Hashmatullah Shahidi ©, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (unavailable for first 2 ODIs), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Abdul Rahman, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Riaz Hassan
 "Yash Mittal")
