“Rashid Khan’s Return Afghanistan’s Spin Challenge in T20 Series Against India”

Rashid, a leg-spinner with 347 international wickets across formats, underwent lower-back surgery in November but remains part of the traveling squad which will play the opener on Thursday in Mohali.

“He is not fit (but) he is traveling with the team. We hope he gets fit soon,” Zadran told reporters.

“Without Rashid, we will struggle but not that much. His experience is important for us but this is cricket, you should be ready for any kind of situation.”

Rashid Khan has not featured in any competitive game since the ICC World Cup 2023 due to an injury and was replaced by Qais Ahmad in the recent series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Qais Ahmad, along with Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf will make Afghanistan’s spin-attack against India.

T20 World Cup in June

The three matches are a tune-up for this year’s T20 World Cup in June and Afghanistan will be up against a formidable home side, with skipper Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli both back in the short-format team.

“Playing against India on their home soil is a difficult task, but we came here to play well against them and show our skills,” said Zadran.

“We have lots of good T20 players, all our boys are playing good cricket, so I am sure they will play well.”

The cricketing minnows put up an impressive show in last year’s ODI World Cup in India with victories over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.

Zadran, a 22-year-old opening batsman, said fans’ raised expectations will motivate the team to elevate their performance.

“Not only Afghanistan people are expecting lots of things, but all around the people are expecting (a) lot of things from us nowadays because we played a wonderful World Cup,” he said.

Zadran said the team hoped to “play positive cricket and show our skills on the field”.

The three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India will commence on January 11 in Mohali.

Afghanistan Squad for India T20Is

Ibrahim Zadran (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmaullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen Ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem, Qais Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan.