SL vs AFG: Rashid Khan Not Playing First Two ODIs against Sri Lanka. Check Details

Afghanistan’s star spinner, Rashid Khan, has been ruled out of the opening two One-Day International (ODI) matches against Sri Lanka due to a lower back injury. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that Rashid is expected to make a comeback for the third and final ODI match.

Rashid Khan Not Playing First Two ODIs against Sri Lanka

According to the team physio’s assessment, Rashid will undergo full medical observation and is anticipated to return for the last ODI on June 7. Rashid recently participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Gujarat Titans, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s journey to the finals. He concluded the tournament with the joint second-highest number of wickets (27). However, the Gujarat Titans fell short in the final against the Chennai Super Kings.

In Rashid’s absence, Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the Afghan side in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The team will rely on players like Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi to compensate for the absence of Rashid’s bowling prowess. After the Sri Lanka series, Afghanistan will travel to Bangladesh for a comprehensive tour, starting with a one-off Test match in Chattogram on June 14.

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SL vs AFG ODI Series starts on 2 June

The three-match series is scheduled to begin on June 2 and will be held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota. For Sri Lanka, the ODI series holds significant importance as they prepare for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. They have named a strong 15-member squad for the Afghanistan series, including the return of Dimuth Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, and Sadeera Samarawickrama to the ODI setup after a considerable gap. As part of the Qualifiers, Sri Lanka has been placed in Group B alongside Ireland, Scotland, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, and their campaign will commence on June 19 against the UAE.

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