Afghanistan cricket fans and the Gujarat Titans IPL franchise can rejoice! Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been named in the Afghanistan squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland, signaling his complete recovery from a back injury.
Long-Awaited Return
Rashid Khan underwent surgery after the 2023 World Cup to address a back issue. This sidelined him from several tournaments, including the Big Bash League, the SA20 league, and Afghanistan’s recent series against UAE, India, Sri Lanka, and Ireland (Tests and ODIs).
Stepping Back Onto the Field
With his inclusion in the T20I squad, Rashid Khan is finally set to return to competitive cricket. This three-match series against Ireland, played in Sharjah on March 15th, 17th, and 18th, will be a crucial warm-up for Afghanistan as they gear up for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June.
Good News for Afghanistan and Gujarat Titans
Rashid Khan’s return is a significant boost for both Afghanistan and his IPL team, the Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2024. He was Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker at the World Cup and his presence adds firepower to their spin attack.
For the Titans, who begin their IPL campaign on March 24th, a healthy and in-form Rashid Khan strengthens their bowling lineup.
Additional Spin Power and New Faces
The Afghanistan squad boasts further good news with the return of another prominent spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who was recovering from a hand injury. The squad also features some young talent, including uncapped all-rounder Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai and recent debutant Mohammad Ishaq.
Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, who impressed on his ODI debut, is likely to make his T20I debut as well. The inclusion of experienced batsman Sediqullah Atal adds depth to the batting order.
Eyes on the T20 World Cup
With a rejuvenated spin attack and a mix of experience and fresh faces, Afghanistan prepares to test themselves against Ireland before the much-anticipated T20 World Cup. This T20I series will be a valuable opportunity for both Rashid Khan and the entire Afghan team to regain momentum and fine-tune their skills on the road to the global showpiece.
Afghanistan squad for Ireland T20Is
Rashid Khan (capt), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wafadar Momand, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
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