Rashid Khan's workload management disallows Test participation

Afghanistan’s poster boy Rashid Khan hasn’t been named in the preliminary squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand, starting September 9 in Greater Noida. As per reports, he won’t be featuring in the red-ball format anytime soon as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) noted the importance of managing his workload post last year’s back surgery, which kept him out of action for several months.

As per the source, the plan is to increase his workload with time and that the cricketer won’t feature in Test cricket for at least six months to one year. The 25-year-old however will be available for the other two formats of the game, including Afghanistan’s away series against South Africa next month.

“The plan for Rashid after the surgery was to gradually increase his workload. Not playing the longer format for the next six months to one year was also part of the plan. In Tests, he would be required to keep bowling from one end and his back is not ready for that kind of workload. He should be available for the ODI series against South Africa next month,” the source was quoted as saying by India Today.

Also Read: Rashid Khan's back injury resurfaces, ruled out of one-off Test versus New Zealand

Notably, Rashid has played five Test matches in his career and has picked up 34 wickets at an average of 22.35. In his absence, Qais Ahmad is likely to have a bigger role as the ground is expected to favour the spinners. Meanwhile, their white-ball spinner Noor Ahmad too hasn’t been picked for the one-off red-ball encounter.

Rashid also suffered a hamstring injury in the recently concluded The Hundred. He played just five matches for Trent Rockets and picked up nine wickets. After that, the spin wizard joined Speen Ghar Tigers in the Shpageeza Cricket League, where he picked up six wickets in three matches and also hit a half-century.

Currently, he is handed a break and will join the squad in the white-ball series against South Africa, slated to begin on September 18.