Afghan star spinner Rashid Khan has been rested for the one-off Test against Zimbabwe as a precautionary measure to ensure his fitness and long-term performance ahead of upcoming international assignments, as per the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). However, the star leg-spinner will return to lead the side in the three-match T20I series that follows, according to ESPNcricinfo.

With Rashid unavailable for the Test, Afghanistan’s selectors have opted for a blend of new faces and experienced campaigners. Right-arm pacer Ziaur Rahman, left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, and leg-spinner Khalil Gurbaz, all of whom performed well in the recent domestic red-ball season, have been handed Test call-ups.

Allrounder Shahidullah, known for his left-arm spin, has been rewarded for his consistent per

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