Rashid Khan’s Test comeback update arrives

Rashid Khan’s Test Return Delayed as Afghanistan Prioritise His Back Fitness

Afghanistan may have to wait longer to see Rashid Khan back in Test cricket. Captain Rahmat Shah says the star leg-spinner is still managing the effects of a back problem, and the team’s medical staff have advised against selecting him for the five-day format until he is fully fit.

The update means Rashid is expected to miss Afghanistan’s upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe, which begins in Sharjah on November 5. But his absence does not signal the end of his Test career. Rahmat made clear that the door remains open: once doctors and physiotherapists give him full clearance, Rashid will be considered for the squad.

For Afghanistan, the decision is a careful balancing act. Rashid remains one of the country’s most influential players, particularly in limited-overs cricket. With his back still requiring attention, the team is reluctant to expose him to the prolonged bowling spells and recovery demands that can come with a Test match.

Why Rashid Khan Is Being Managed Carefully

Rahmat explained that the medical team’s recommendation will determine whether Rashid is ready to return. The captain said the spinner is not currently fit enough for Test cricket and that Afghanistan would not take a risk simply to add an experienced name to the lineup.

“Talking about Rashid, it has been recommended by the team medical staff and physio trainers that he should not be playing Test games at the moment because he is still not ready,” Rahmat said.

The workload is a particular concern. In a T20 international, a bowler is generally limited to four overs, and the match is completed within a few hours. A Test can stretch across five days, with a frontline spinner potentially required to bowl long spells, especially when a partnership is developing or the pitch is not offering much assistance.

Rahmat noted that Rashid is Afghanistan’s main spinner and would naturally be asked to bowl regularly if selected. That could place significant strain on a back that has previously required careful workload management. Protecting his availability for white-ball cricket is therefore part of the calculation, rather than a sign that Afghanistan have lost confidence in his ability.

“We cannot risk losing Rashid for white-ball cricket: he is such an important player,” Rahmat said. He added that Rashid enjoys Test cricket, but the team would follow medical advice if his body is not ready for the demands of the format.

Test Return Remains Possible After Medical Clearance

Despite the delay, Rahmat has not ruled out Rashid’s return. The captain said he has spoken with the player and the Afghanistan Cricket Board, and that Rashid will be included in the Test setup when he is fully fit.

“As soon as he gets ready and 100 per cent fit, he will obviously be part of the Test squad,” Rahmat said.

That assurance is significant for Afghanistan, whose Test team has benefited from Rashid’s ability to change a match quickly. His sharp turn, variations in pace and attacking approach make him a major threat, particularly on surfaces that assist spin. Still, a successful comeback will depend on more than a place in the squad: the medical team will need to be confident that he can handle the format’s sustained workload.

For supporters searching for a prediction on when Rashid Khan will return to Test cricket, there is no confirmed date. Afghanistan’s public position is that selection will follow full medical clearance, not a fixed timetable. His recovery and workload management will determine when he is ready to resume.

A Remarkable Test Record in a Short Career

Rashid has played only six Tests, but his impact has been substantial. He made his debut against India in Bengaluru on June 14, 2018, in Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match. India won by an innings and 262 runs, though Rashid claimed two wickets in the historic fixture.

He produced a stronger performance against Ireland in Dehradun in March 2019, taking seven wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Later that year, he delivered one of the defining performances of his Test career against Bangladesh in Chattogram. Rashid took 11 wickets, including six in the first innings, as Afghanistan secured a memorable 224-run victory.

Rashid also claimed three wickets against West Indies in Lucknow in 2019. In March 2021, he took another 11 wickets against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. After a lengthy gap, he returned to Test cricket against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in January 2025, again finishing with 11 wickets, although Afghanistan lost the match.

Across his six Tests, Rashid has taken 45 wickets at an average of 20.44. His best innings figures are 7/66, while his best match return is 11/104. He has recorded five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket match performances—an exceptional record for a player with relatively limited opportunities in the format.

Afghanistan Seek More Test Cricket

Rashid’s absence is one challenge facing Afghanistan, but Rahmat also highlighted a broader issue: the team does not play Tests as often as it would like. He believes more regular fixtures, including greater involvement in the ICC World Test Championship, would help Afghanistan develop and measure themselves against leading sides.

“If we get more games and become part of the Test Championship, it will give us the opportunity to play against top teams around the world and gain more experience,” Rahmat said. “With more games we will get better.”

Regular competition can help a developing Test side build combinations, improve its approach to long innings and give players valuable experience in different conditions. For Afghanistan, more fixtures would also provide greater continuity, allowing the team to learn from setbacks and build on strong performances rather than waiting extended periods between matches.

Confidence After a Resilient Draw Against Bangladesh

Afghanistan will take encouragement into the Zimbabwe series from their recent drawn Test against Bangladesh. Chasing a target of 479, the team showed resilience to hold on for a draw, a result Rahmat described as being “equal to a win” in terms of its confidence-building value.

The performance gave Afghanistan evidence that they can withstand pressure and compete deep into a match. Rahmat said the team wants to carry that momentum into the Zimbabwe Tests while continuing to improve the details that could turn a hard-fought draw into a victory.

The first Test against Zimbabwe is scheduled to start in Sharjah on November 5, with the second match at the same venue beginning on November 13. Afghanistan will aim to make the most of the series, while Rashid’s recovery remains a longer-term priority. For now, the clearest message from Rahmat is that the leg-spinner’s return will come only when his health allows him to meet the demands of Test cricket safely.