Afghanistan’s standout spinner, Rashid Khan, will be sidelined from the upcoming three-match Twenty20 series against India due to an injury.
Although Rashid won’t be on the field, team captain Ibrahim Zadran assured that the squad possesses sufficient experience to offset the absence. Despite undergoing lower-back surgery in November, Rashid remains part of the traveling team, and Zadran is hopeful for his prompt recovery.
Addressing the media, Zadran acknowledged Rashid’s significance but underscored the team’s preparedness to confront challenges in the realm of cricket.
The 25-year-old Rashid plays a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s formidable spin attack, alongside Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi.
The T20 series serves as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup in June, and Afghanistan is set to face a strong Indian side led by captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli.
Zadran acknowledged the inherent challenges of playing in India but expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities.
“While playing against India on their home soil is a formidable task, we came here to perform well against them and exhibit our skills,” stated Zadran.
Despite being considered cricketing underdogs, Afghanistan left a mark in the ODI World Cup last year with notable victories. Zadran highlighted heightened expectations from fans and the global cricket community, expressing the team’s motivation to meet these expectations.
He articulated the team’s objective of playing positive cricket and showcasing their skills on the field.