Afghanistan announce squad for tour of India, Rashid Khan skips one-off Test

Afghanistan have finally announced their squads for the upcoming tour of India, with star spinner Rashid Khan left out of the one-off Test squad but returning for the ODI series later in June.

The Gujarat Titans spinner has already hinted his likely absence from the red ball game earlier this season. Speaking after his match-winning spell against Delhi Capitals during IPL 2026, Rashid revealed that doctors have advised him to stay away from Test cricket due to his long-term back problems.

“The first thing the doctor told me was to stay away from red-ball cricket,” Rashid said after the IPL clash in Delhi, admitting that the physical demands of the format had become increasingly difficult to handle after the back surgery.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board on Tuesday named a 15-member squad for the lone Test against India while also confirming Hashmatullah Shahidi as the captain of both the red-ball and white-ball sides for the tour, which is scheduled from June 6 to June 20.

Afghanistan will begin the task with a one-off Test in New Chandigarh from June 6-10 before the teams move on to a three-match ODI series. The ODIs will be played in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai on June 14, 17 and 20 respectively.

Rashid, who has not featured in Test cricket since March 2024, was left out of the squad for the red-ball match. However, the 27-year-old has been included in Afghanistan’s ODI squad along with veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi as the visitors look to field a full strength in the 50-over series.

The selectors have retained the core of the batting unit for the Test match, with Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai expected to shoulder the responsibility in the middle order. Goalkeepers Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil were also included in the squad.

Afghanistan’s spin attack for the Test will be led by Sharafudin Ashraf and Qais Ahmad, while Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi and Saleem Safi will spearhead the pace.

For the ODI series, Afghanistan strengthened the batting line-up with the return of Ibrahim Zadran along with Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli.

The ODI bowling attack also features young mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who earned a recall after a breakout season in the IPL with Mumbai Indians. Ghazanfar impressed during the tournament, scoring 15 goals in 11 matches.

Afghanistan will officially begin the bilateral tour with a Test match in New Chandigarh and then travel across the country for the ODI leg of the series.

Afghanistan Test Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafudin Ashraf, Nangyal Kharotai, B Salia Sharafi, B Salia Sharifi.

Reserve the pool: Bashir Ahmad, Bahir Shah, Ismat Alam.

Afghanistan ODI Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, Sharia Urhman Rasooli, AM Bilal Sami.

Reserve pool: Qais Ahmad, Saleem Safi, Bashir Ahmad.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

26 May 2026 20:22 IST