Rashid Khan Returns to ODI Format as Afghanistan Announces Squad for South Africa Series

Afghanistan's star legspinner Rashid Khan returns to ODIs after back surgery. He joins the squad for a three-match series against South Africa starting September 18. Missing out are Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Ibrahim Zadran due to injuries, while Abdul Malik and Darwish Rasooli are new inclusions.

Afghanistan's star legspinner Rashid Khan is making a return to the ODI format, marking his first appearance since the conclusion of last year's ODI World Cup in India. Khan has been named in Afghanistan's 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, set to begin on September 18 in the UAE.

Khan was a notable absentee from Afghanistan's squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand in Greater Noida owing to back surgery. The aftermath of the surgery also saw him missing series against UAE, India, Sri Lanka, and ODIs against Ireland.

In addition to Khan, Afghanistan will be without mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is recovering from a sprain in his index finger. Top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran is ruled out due to an ankle sprain. To fill Zadran's shoes, top-order batter Abdul Malik has been called up.

Darwish Rasooli is in contention to make his ODI debut after being named in the squad. The 24-year-old batter, who has seven T20I caps, has consistently performed in the recent List A Cup and SCL9. "Mujeeb Ur Rahman continues to recover from his injury and is unavailable. Ibrahim Zadran will also miss the South Africa ODIs due to an ankle sprain. We've included top-performing youngsters Abdul Malik and Darwish Rasooli, along with the talented Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar," Chief Selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said, according to a statement from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

The series will be played in Sharjah, marking the first bilateral ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa. Previously, both teams met only in World Cups. Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran, and Farid Ahmad Malik.

(With inputs from agencies.)