Rashid Khan to Miss Boxing Day Test

Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan star, will not be available for the first Test against Zimbabwe due to personal reasons.

The 26-year-old leg spinner was included in the 18-member squad for the two-match series, but will miss the opening Test scheduled at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on December 26.

Rashid has been away from red-ball cricket since 2021 due to a back injury. He was advised by his physician to stay away from Test cricket, causing him to miss the series against New Zealand.

In November, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced that Rashid would not be available for Test cricket until November. However, he was later included in the squad for the Zimbabwe tour.

On Tuesday, Rashid posted a picture of himself on his official Facebook page, showing him in Netherlands on the same day the ACB posted pictures of their team preparing for the first Test in Bulawayo.

A source from the ACB confirmed to Cricbuzz that Rashid is not available for the opening Test.

The second Test is scheduled at the same venue in Bulawayo from January 2.