Afghanistan has announced an 18-member squad for their upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on Boxing Day in Bulawayo.
Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan returns to Test cricket after a two-year hiatus due to a prolonged groin injury. His last appearance in the format was also against Zimbabwe in 2021.
The squad, captained by Hashmatullah Shahidi, includes seven players yet to make their Test debut.
Newcomers such as left-arm seamer Bashir Ahmad and all-rounder Ismat Alam have earned their spots through standout performances in domestic cricket.
Additionally, the lineup includes Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Riaz Hassan, and Sediqullah Atal, all of whom were part of the squad for a rain-affected Test against New Zealand earlier this year.
Interim chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil highlighted the balance of experience and fresh talent in the team, emphasizing a strategic blend to strengthen Afghanistan’s performance in the longest format of the game.
"Rashid Khan returns to the Test squad, which is a promising sign for our red-ball game going forward," Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB's interim chief selector, said in a statement.
"The rest of the team underwent good preparations recently in Nangarhar province, which featured 19 players and all the support staff to work with the players and ensure full preparation for the series.
"We have thoroughly monitored the proceedings and have picked the squad which includes several new faces, including Ismat Alam, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad, who have performed well during the recent Ahmad Shah Abdali first-class tournament."
Afghanistan recently claimed a 2-1 win in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, recovering strongly after a defeat in the opening match.
Afghanistan Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik.Afghanistan-Zimbabwe Test Series 2024-25:
- 1st Test: December 26–30 | Venue: Bulawayo
- 2nd Test: January 2–6, 2025 | Venue: Bulawayo
