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Afghanistan’s cricket team will see the return of its star spinner, Rashid Khan, as part of the squad for the two-test match series against Zimbabwe later this month. Rashid’s last appearance in Test cricket was in March 2021, also against Zimbabwe. During an almost two-year hiatus from the longest format of the game, Rashid took time off to recover from a recurring groin injury. His return is highly anticipated and considered a promising boost for Afghanistan’s red-ball cricket pursuits.

Apart from his contributions to Afghanistan’s Test squad, Rashid has been an instrumental figure in Afghanistan’s white-ball teams. His performance significantly contributed to Afghanistan reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, solidifying his role as a crucial player in Afghanistan’s cricketing setup.

This series against Zimbabwe will also mark a fresh chapter for Afghanistan’s cricket with seven uncapped players joining the squad. Notable debutants in this series include all-rounder Ismat Alam, left-arm spinner Zahir Shehzad, and left-arm fast bowler Bashir Ahmad Afghan. The squad’s infusion of new talent indicates a strategic move to build a more robust and flexible team for the future.

The Afghanistan team is set to be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, who commands respect and has shown leadership skills expected to steer the team effectively through this series. The integration of these new players alongside experienced campaigners like Rashid Khan is expected to be a transformative experience for the Afghanistan squad, which will kick off the series in Bulawayo on December 26.

This series not only provides a platform for Rashid Khan to reestablish himself in the Test format but also offers a significant opportunity for the team’s new talent to showcase their skills on an international stage. The upcoming matches against Zimbabwe will undoubtedly be watched keenly by fans and pundits alike, eager to see how Afghanistan’s re-energized squad performs in the test arena.

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