Rashid Khan Won’t Take Part in the T20I Series With India

Rashid Khan, still recovering from the lower-back surgery that kept him out of the BBL and SA20, will not play in the three-match T20I series against India. Although Rashid travelled to Chandigarh with the team, Afghanistan’s captain Ibrahim Zadran said that he is not yet ready for the game.

“He is not totally fit, but is travelling with the team,” Ibrahim stated. “We’re hoping he recovers from his injury as fast as we anticipate. We will miss him in the series as he works with the doctor on his rehabilitation.

“Without Rashid, we will struggle because his experience is crucial to all of us, but this is cricket and you need to be ready for any kind of situation.”

Rashid missed Afghanistan’s most recent assignment, a 2-1 T20I series victory over the UAE at the beginning of the year, and hasn’t participated in a competitive match since the ODI World Cup in October and November. Afghanistan’s spin team in India will be composed of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, Qais Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf in lieu of Rashid.

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Qais, who has assumed the role of legspinner for Afghanistan in Rashid’s absence, took the most wickets in the UAE series, claiming six at an economy rate of 6.70 and an average of 11.16.

Ibrahim was excited about playing India in a competitive series. “Playing against India on their home soil is a difficult task, but we came here to play well against them and show our skills,” he stated.

“We have lots of good T20 players, all our boys are playing good cricket, so I am sure they will play well. We will have a good series against India.”

The three-match T20I series begins on Thursday in Mohali. Indore and Bangalore will host the second and third T20Is on January 14 and 17.