Rashid Khan to lead Afghanistan spin attack in historic Test

Afghanistan have included four spinners in their squad for their historic inaugural Test against India that starts on 14 June.
Slow-bowlers Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who have both just come off a successful IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab respectively, will be joined in the 16-man squad by Amir Hamza and Zahir Khan.
Hamza, a left-arm off-spinner, was the leading wicket-taker in Afghanistan’s domestic first-class competition while the 19-year-old Zahir starred in the U19 World Cup earlier this year.
Fast bowler Wafadar, who is 18-years-old, is the only uncapped international in a squad that is missing experienced paceman Dawlat Zadran because of a knee injury.
Asghar Stanikzai will have the honour of leading his country in their first ever Test.
Meanwhile, Stanikzai will also lead a more youthful Afghanistan squad in a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh that starts on Sunday.
Only five players – Stanikzai, Rashid, Mujeeb, Mohammad Nabi and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad – from the Test squad have been picked for the series in shortest format against the Tigers.
Afghanistan Test squad: Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Javed Ahmadi, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Nasir Jamal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Amir Hamza, Sayed Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Wafadar, Zahir Khan
Squad for Bangladesh T20Is: Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Najeeb Tarakai, Usman Ghani, Mohammad Shahzad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shapoor Zadran, Aftab Alam
Latest
-
News
James Anderson leads the way as England bowl Sri Lanka out for 381
Spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess were left to nurse a combined return of nought for 195 in 64 overs.
-
News
James Anderson lands key wicket but Niroshan Dickwella fights on
England’s record wicket-taker was immediately on the hunt again, finding sharp movement off the pitch to remove Mathews in his first over.
-
News
On this day in 2016: Shivnarine Chanderpaul announces international retirement
Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008, the West Indies batsman became only the second player to make a double century in his first Test as captain.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
News
James Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
News
Alex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
News
Angelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.
-
News
Shubman Gill learned backfoot game with ‘1500 short balls every day’
Shubman Gill impressed with his technique against short-pitch bowling, and his father has said he honed those skills during practice.
-
News
Sri Lanka steady ship after James Anderson takes three wickets in Galle
The home side reached 155 for three at tea, with England’s record wicket-taker responsible for all three dismissals.
-
News
CSA confident Australia tour will go ahead
CSA is confident the scheduled Australia tour to the country will take place despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in South Africa