Image Credit- AFP
Rashid Khan, who has
been sidelined since the 2023 World Cup due to a back ailment and subsequent
surgery, has been declared fit for action in the forthcoming Ireland T20Is
after being included in Afghanistan’s squad.
Due to the injury, Rashid had to miss time playing in the Big Bash League, the
SA20, Afghanistan’s assignments against the UAE, India, and Sri Lanka, and now
the Test and ODI matches against Ireland. Although he had flown to India in
January with the team, he was not yet ready to leave.
His team-mate
Ibrahim Zadran had said then: “He is not totally fit, but is travelling
with the team. We hope that he gets fit as soon as we expect him to. He’s doing
his rehab with the doctor, and we will miss him in the series.”
With 11 wickets,
Rashid was Afghanistan’s top wicket-taker during the ODI World Cup. It will be
beneficial for Afghanistan as they get ready for their next major international
assignment, the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies in June, if he can
come in and start playing right away. It will also be beneficial for Rashid’s
IPL team, the Gujarat Titans. On March 24, the Titans kick off their IPL 2024
campaign.
The return of Mujeeb
Ur Rahman, who was recuperating from a sprain to his right phalanx, adds
significantly to their spin attack.
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, an uncapped all-rounder, and Mohammad Ishaq, who made his
T20Is debut against Sri Lanka in February, are included in the 15. Nangeyalia
Kharote, a left-arm spinner, made her debut in the third ODI of the current
tour and appears to be making her T20I debut as well. Opening hitter Sediqullah
Atal, who last competed for Afghanistan at the Asian Games in October, is also
included in the roster.
Ireland will play three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Afghanistan in
Sharjah on March 15, 17, and 18. Ireland had won the one-off Test match, their
first-ever Test victory, while Afghanistan had won the previous ODIs 2-0.