Surprise Omission: Rashid Khan Left Out of Afghanistan's Test Squad

Afghanistan's cricket board has omitted star player Rashid Khan from the 20-member preliminary squad for the upcoming Test against New Zealand. Despite his impressive track record, Rashid's absence raises eyebrows. The final 15-member squad will be announced after a preparatory camp. Several young talents have been included.

In a surprising move, all-rounder Rashid Khan has been left out of Afghanistan's 20-member preliminary squad for their upcoming Test against New Zealand. The match is set to take place in Greater Noida next month.

Rashid Khan, who holds the record for most wickets in the format for his country, has been a pivotal player for Afghanistan, taking 34 wickets in five Tests at an impressive average of 22.35. His last Test appearance was in 2021 against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi, where he claimed 11 wickets.

The decision to exclude Rashid Khan, alongside other notable players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Karim Janat, has left many fans and pundits puzzled. However, the squad led by Hashmatullah Shahidi will see the inclusion of promising talents like Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) will finalize the squad after a week-long preparatory camp in Greater Noida. The preliminary squad is expected to arrive in India on August 28.

(With inputs from agencies.)