Injured Rashid Khan to miss first two ODIs against Sri Lanka, likely to return for final One-Dayer: ACB
Rashid Khan to miss first two Sri Lanka ODIs due to lower-back injury
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced star spinner Rashid Khan would miss the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka due to a lower-back injury but is likely to return for the final One-Dayer of the three-match series, starting 2nd June in Hambantota. The board said, "He will remain under full medical observation, and is expected to return for the final ODI on June 7."
Rashid’s absence means Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad will shoulder the responsibility among them as Afghanistan gear up for the 50-over World Cup later this year. With them being one of the eight teams to have directly qualified for the mega event and Sri Lanka set to play the qualifiers to get through, this is Afghanistan’s bright chance to prepare for the 10-team tournament.
Last month, ACB announced the 15-man squad for the Sri Lanka ODIs, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi. After this series, Afghanistan will travel to Bangladesh for the one-off Test, while Sri Lanka will head to Zimbabwe to participate in the qualifiers.
Talking about Rashid Khan, the number one-rankedT20I bowler was instrumental in helping his IPL franchise – Gujarat Titans, reach the second successive final by picking up 27 wickets – second-most by any bowler this season. His compatriot, Noor Ahmad, also shined for the newcomers as he bagged 16 wickets from 13 matches at an economy of 7.82.
)
Why asking questions could be more important than memorising answers
)
BRICS Summit 2026 full schedule: Day-wise agenda, timings and key issues - All you need to know
)
BRICS Summit 2026: Iran's Pezeshkian praises PM Modi at BRICS
)
Why dehydration is the hidden cause of travel fatigue on long flights
)
Top 5 places to visit in Goa beyond its famous beaches
)
BRICS Summit: All about Xi Jinping's armoured limousine Hongqi that will ferry him in New Delhi
)
BRICS Summit 2026: Modi-Xi meeting to test India-China reset after border tensions
)
BRICS Summit 2026: 30+ countries seek BRICS membership
)
Frustrated man demolishes his kitchen after thousands flock to see Mother Mary his wife spotted on the wall
)
Trump says Canada eager to reach a deal, it could come ‘fairly soon’ if Ottawa treats US farmers better
)
From drones to KAAN fighters: Turkey outlines 229% surge in defence spending amid regional shifts
)
‘Partners, not rivals’: Xi outlines four point plan for stronger India-China ties
)
Could staying indoors all day affect your health?
)
Bigg Boss 20: Uditi Singh reacts to ex Karan Wahi’s possible wildcard entry
)
Why going digital does not always mean becoming more efficient
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
)
ENG vs PAK: Joe Root breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most Test fifties
)
Israel spent nearly $470,000 on PM's hair, makeup since 2019, data shows
)
From severe mobility problems to recovery: Madhuri the elephant’s journey of wildlife care
)
BRICS Summit day 1: New Delhi declaration adopted with full consensus, big diplomatic win for India
)
From India, Putin warns Europe against sending troops to Ukraine, Zelensky expresses willingness to meet him at G20 Summit
)
9/11 attack anniversary: The day that changed America forever
)
9-year-old Chennai prodigy clears Cambridge IGCSE grade 10 exams
)
BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi says India and Iran should pursue win-win strategy
)
Why does your body need time to adjust after a long journey?
)
Baba Vanga's first prophecy for 2027 is out, and straight out of science fiction
)
BRICS declaration calls for stronger people ties, women-led growth and greater youth cooperation
)
Why does your skin need protection from UV rays?
)
Modi, Putin, Xi ‘bromance’ goes viral as leaders captured holding hands at BRICS Summit
)
How does the loss of forests affect the way wildlife lives and moves?
)
IND vs AFG, 1st T20I: When and where to watch live streaming in India?
)
Anthropic is giving Claude to schools free, and the reason is not philanthropy
)
BRICS Summit: China resumes Guangzhou-New Delhi flight, issues 'good-neighbourliness' remark ahead of Xi-Modi meet
)
Why do wild animals need quiet places to survive?
)
Humans may lose control of AI: Anthropic CEO calls for slowdown, Altman, Musk back him
Although Gujarat lost the finals to Chennai Super Kings by five wickets, Noor returned with two wickets to his name in the finale, while Rashid went wicketless, conceding 44 runs from three overs.
A mainstream player with both bat and ball, Rashid’s best outing was against Mumbai Indians in an away group clash, where he first picked up four wickets and then scored a brilliant 32-ball 79.
Given his exploits in the white-ball formats, Rashid’s absence will make a huge difference to Afghanistan’s side in the first two ODIs.
Schedule and squads of both teams –
- 1st ODI – June 2nd, Hambantota
- 2nd ODI, June 24th, Hambantota
- 3rd ODI – June 7th, Hambantota
Afghanistan Squad -Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Abdul Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Ahmad Malik
Reserves: Gulbadin Naib, Shahidullah Kamal, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia ur Rahman Akbar
Sri Lankan Squad -Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (WK), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (WK), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:
