Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah has confirmed that Rashid Khan will not feature in Tests until he is fully fit. The leg-spinner is managing a back issue, and medical staff have advised caution. His Test record of 45 wickets at 20.44 shows what the side is missing.
Rahmat Shah Confirms Medical Advice Against Test Selection
Speaking ahead of the two-Test series against Zimbabwe, Rahmat said team medical staff and physiotherapists have recommended that Rashid skip the longest format for now. The captain stressed that Afghanistan cannot risk losing him for white-ball cricket.
Rahmat did not rule out a return. He said Rashid will join the Test squad once he is 100 per cent fit, following discussions with the player and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Why Test Workload Is a Concern
Rahmat contrasted the demands of the formats. A T20 bowler delivers a maximum of four overs in a roughly three-hour game, while Test cricket can require long, repeated spells.
As the main spinner, Rashid would be asked to bowl regularly during long partnerships. Given his past back injury, the physio has advised him to manage that load.
Rashid Khan's Test Record in Numbers
Rashid has played six Tests, taking 45 wickets at an average of 20.44. That works out to 7.5 wickets per Test, a high return for a spinner. He has five five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket match hauls.
Rashid Khan: Career Test Summary| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Tests | 6 |
| Wickets | 45 |
| Bowling Average | 20.44 |
| Best Innings | 7/66 |
| Best Match | 11/104 |
| Five-Wicket Hauls | 5 |
| Ten-Wicket Match Hauls | 3 |
Match-by-Match Breakdown
Rashid's match returns have varied, but his three best performances each reached 11 wickets. The table below lists his wickets per Test.
Rashid Khan: Wickets by Test| Opponent | Venue | Date | Wickets |
|---|
| India | Bengaluru | June 2018 | 2 |
| Ireland | Dehradun | March 2019 | 7 |
| Bangladesh | Chattogram | September 2019 | 11 |
| West Indies | Lucknow | 2019 | 3 |
| Zimbabwe | Abu Dhabi | March 2021 | 11 |
| Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | January 2025 | 11 |
Trends in Rashid's Test Career
After a two-wicket debut against India in Bengaluru, Rashid took seven wickets against Ireland in Dehradun, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. His 11-wicket match against Bangladesh in Chattogram came with a six-wicket first-innings haul and helped Afghanistan to a 224-run win.
He then had a long gap between Tests, from March 2021 until January 2025. His latest appearance, against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, produced another 11-wicket match, although Afghanistan lost.
Impact on Afghanistan's Bowling Balance
Three of Rashid's six Tests have produced 11 or more wickets, a rate of 50 per cent. That makes him the most productive wicket-taker in Afghanistan's Test attack, and his absence reduces the side's attacking options in long matches.
The team must now rely on its other spinners to carry the workload in Sharjah conditions.
Afghanistan's Push for More Test Opportunities
Rahmat said Afghanistan are not getting enough Tests because they are not part of the ICC World Test Championship. He argued that more games against top teams would build experience and improve results.
The captain pointed to the recent drawn Test against Bangladesh as a source of confidence. Afghanistan chased a target of 479 and batted out for a draw, a result Rahmat described as equal to a win.
Zimbabwe Series Schedule
Both Tests against Zimbabwe will be played in Sharjah. Afghanistan will look to build on the momentum from the Bangladesh draw.
Outlook: Fitness Over Format
Afghanistan's management is prioritising Rashid's long-term fitness, especially given his importance in limited-overs cricket. No return date has been given for Tests.
His statistics show a bowler who delivers in the format, so the selection decision will depend on medical clearance. Until then, Afghanistan must plan without their most proven Test wicket-taker.