• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Afghanistan's talisman all-rounder Rashid Khan is set to miss the Boxing Day Test of the two-match series against Zimbabwe due to personal reasons.

Rashid, who was picked for the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, last played a Test match against the very same opponents in 2021. The 26-year-old has been out of competitive red-ball cricket at the urging of his doctor, who has been guiding his recovery from a back injury. Thence, he missed the Test series against New Zealand.

ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: Travis Head Declared Fully Fit; Scott Boland Returns As Australia Announce Playing XI For Boxing Day Test

As per Cricbuzz, initially, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced that Rashid would be taking a break from Test cricket until November, casting doubts on his availability for the Zimbabwe tour.

However, in a welcome turn of events, Rashid was ultimately included in the 18-member squad for the series, which is set to commence on December 26 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

It has come as a surprise to everyone as ace leg spinner Rashid put up a post photo on his official Facebook page while posing somewhere in the Netherlands.

ALSO READ: Axar Patel, Wife Meha Announce Birth Of Newborn Child, Name Him 'Haksh' | See Pic

Notably, the post was made on the same day that the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) shared pictures of the team preparing for the first Test in Bulawayo. However, Rashid was conspicuously absent from the team's photos, sparking curiosity about his whereabouts.

Meanwhile, sources within the Afghanistan Cricket Board have since confirmed to Cricbuzz that Rashid will not be available to play in the opening Test match.

"He (Rashid) is away for a charity event for 1st test as far as I am aware," said the official.