Rashid Khan set to make his comeback in the Ireland T20I series. Rashid Khan had back surgery after the ODI World Cup 2023 and hasn’t played any professional cricket since.
Afghanistan T20I Rashid Khan is set to make his comeback in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Ireland, which begins on Friday, March 15. The wrist-spinner last played in the ODI World Cup in 2023 and is currently recovering from back surgery. The 25-year-old withdrew from the Big Bash League 2023-24 and had back surgery, making him unavailable for SA20 2024 as well.
In his absence, Ibrahim Zadran led the T20I squad against the UAE, India, and Sri Lanka. According to reports, Rashid is expected to return in the upcoming T20I series against Ireland. The two teams are currently playing a three-match ODI series in Sharjah. The Nangarhar-born cricketer is not in the 50-over squad as he recovers from back surgery. Rashid reveal his plans to play in the upcoming series in a recent interview, as well as an update on his rehabilitation.
“The plan is to represent the country in the upcoming series (T20 against Afghanistan), and training has begun; today was the second day, and thankfully it went well. I hope that the next few days will also go well so that I can wear the national jersey again and continue to do well for my country. ” Rashid said in a VDO interview posted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board on Saturday (March 9).
Rashid also revealed that doctors advised him to have surgery before the ODI World Cup 2023. However, he decided to postpone it and compete in the crucial tournament.
“The last three months have been difficult because I underwent surgery. I had been suffering from a back injury for the last seven to eight months. The doctor advised me to have surgery before the World Cup. I chose to play the World Cup and then have surgery because it was such an important event for us. But Alhamdulillah, I am back on the field and feeling well now, and my focus is on returning to the field and bringing joy and success to the nation,” he added.
Further, he stated that the upcoming IPL 2024 will be an excellent preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024.
“The good news is that the majority of our players will be playing in the IPL. Which will be good preparation for the World Cup. We will also keep in touch with those who are not playing in the IPL to encourage them to work hard during this time. ” He concluded.
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Rashid Khan had a brilliant IPL 2023
Rashid will play for the Gujarat Titans, who finished second last season, in the upcoming IPL. He had an outstanding season with both the bat and the ball in 2023. Finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 20.44.
The right-handed batter also scored 130 runs in nine innings at an average of 32.5 and a strike rate of 216.66, including a best score of 79* (32) against the Mumbai Indians. Rashid will hope for another successful season this time around and to carry his form into the T20 World Cup 2024.
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