Afghanistan have rested Rashid Khan for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe as a precautionary measure to manage his workload and ensure his long-term fitness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Tuesday. Rashid will, however, return to lead the side in the three-match T20I series that follows.
With Rashid sitting out, Afghanistan’s Test squad features a mix of new and familiar faces. Right-arm pacer Ziaur Rahman, left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, and legspinner Khalil Gurbaz have been rewarded with call-ups after strong performances in the domestic red-ball season.
Allrounder Shahidullah has been included in both the Test and T20I squads following his consistent run in domestic cricket. Left-arm pacer Bashir Ahmad, who recently featured in white-ball games against Bangladesh, has also retained his place in the Test squad.
Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Test side, which also includes Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Bahir Shah, and wicketkeepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil.
In the T20I squad, Rashid will resume captaincy duties with Ibrahim Zadran as his deputy. Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai has earned a recall after making his debut earlier in 2024. Senior players Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad have all been named, while pacers Fareed Malik and Abdullah Ahmadzai complete the lineup.
The tour will take place from October 20 to November 2, with all matches scheduled in Harare.
Afghanistan Test squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah, Ismat Alam, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Ziaur Rahman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Khalil Gurbaz, Bashir Ahmad.
Reserves: Ibrahim Abdulrahimzai, Sediqullah Atal, Shams Ur Rahman.
Afghanistan T20I squad
Rashid Khan (capt), Ibrahim Zadran (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bashir Ahmad, Fareed Malik, Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Reserves: AM Ghazanfar, Faridoon Dawoodzai.