Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah opens up about Rashid Khan’s future in Test cricket

Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah has offered a positive update on Rashid Khan’s Test cricket future, insisting that the star leg-spinner remains part of the team’s plans once he is fully fit. However, the Afghanistan management is unwilling to rush his return, with concerns over his workload and previous back injury continuing to influence decisions about his availability in the longest format.

Rashid remains one of Afghanistan’s most influential cricketers, particularly in limited-overs cricket. His ability to produce match-changing spells makes him a valuable asset, but the demands of Test cricket present a different physical challenge.

Rahmat Shah provides update on Rashid Khan’s Test return

Speaking ahead of Afghanistan’s two-Test series against Zimbabwe, Rahmat explained why the team would prioritise the spinner’s long-term fitness over an immediate comeback.

Rahmat confirmed that Afghanistan’s medical staff and physiotherapists have advised Rashid against playing Test cricket at present. The captain stressed that the team would follow their recommendations rather than risk aggravating the spinner’s fitness concerns.

“Talking about Rashid, it has been recommended by the team medical staff and physio trainers that he should not be playing Test games at the moment because he is still not ready,” Rahmat said.

He also highlighted the importance of protecting Rashid’s availability for Afghanistan’s white-ball commitments.

“We cannot risk losing Rashid for white-ball cricket: he is such an important player. I am praying he gets better soon, and he loves Test cricket. However, if his body is not allowing it and based on the reports from the doctors and medical team we wouldn’t take a risk,” he added.

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Why Test cricket poses a challenge for Rashid Khan?

Rashid’s workload is a major factor behind the cautious approach. In T20 internationals, a bowler can deliver a maximum of four overs, while Test cricket can require a spinner to bowl long spells across several days.

Rahmat acknowledged that Rashid could be asked to bowl regularly if he returned to the Test side, particularly when opposition batters establish lengthy partnerships.

“He’s our main spinner and if he gets in the team, definitely when there’s a long partnership, I will ask him to come and bowl regularly a lot. It will be load on him (in Tests) because in short formats, in T20, it’s only three-hour game and a bowler will ball only four overs. But in Tests, there is a lot of workload and as per Rashid physio, he has to manage his workload due to his back injury in the past,” the Afghanistan captain said.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his immediate availability, Rahmat remains optimistic about seeing Rashid play Test cricket again.

“I’ve had personal discussions with him and the ACB and as soon as he gets ready and 100 per cent fit, he will obviously be part of the Test squad,” Rahmat concluded.

Rashid last played a Test match in January 2025. His record in the format underlines what Afghanistan could gain from his return: he has taken 45 wickets in six Tests, making him a proven match-winner in red-ball cricket.

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