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[Saba Sports News] Renowned spinner Rashid Khan will miss Afghanistan’s one-off Test match against Sri Lanka, starting on February 2, due to a back injury. Following a minor surgery post the ODI World Cup, Khan has been absent from major tournaments including the Big Bash League and the T20I series against India.
In his absence, Afghanistan has called up wrist spinner Qais Ahmad, who has one Test cap to his name. The 16-member squad also includes young spinner Zia-ur-Rehman and the returning Noor Ali Zadran. Noor Ali, who made a significant contribution in the Asian Games final against India and a pivotal half-century in the Quarter-final against Sri Lanka, has been away from cricket since then.
New faces in the squad include uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq and right-arm medium-pacer Naveed Zadran. Naveed has made a strong impression in domestic cricket, taking 35 wickets in just seven first-class matches, including three five-wicket hauls.
However, all-rounders Karim Janat and Amir Hamza, who were in the Test squad against Bangladesh in 2023, have been excluded for the Sri Lanka match. Regulars Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, and Rahmat Shah remain in the squad but face the challenge of overcoming their heavy defeat against Bangladesh last summer.
With only seven Test matches played since 2018, Afghanistan’s lack of experience in the longest format is evident. They face a formidable challenge against Sri Lanka, who are looking to bounce back after their series loss to Pakistan in 2023.
The full Afghanistan squad includes: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Abdul Malik, Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Bahir Shah, Nasir Jamal, Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ishaq (wicketkeeper), Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Nijat Masood, Mohammad Saleem, and Naveed Zadran.