Rahmat Shah Backs Rashid Khan for Test Comeback as Afghanistan Manage Leg-Spinner’s Workload

Afghanistan Test captain Rahmat Shah confirmed the team is keeping the door open for star leg-spinner Rashid Khan’s return to the squad, but only when he achieves full physical fitness. Medical staff advising the side have cautioned against rushing Rashid back into red-ball cricket due to persistent back injury concerns.

Speaking on Afghanistan’s long-term Test plans, Rahmat Shah insisted that Rashid remains part of the team’s core strategy, even as workload management dictates his immediate availability. Rahmat stated that the leg-spinner will return to the squad as soon as he is 100 per cent fit and ready to handle the physical demands of the longest format.

Why Rashid Khan’s red-ball return is currently on hold

Rashid’s absence from the Test arena stems directly from precautionary medical advice. CricTracker and WION reported that medical personnel advised Afghanistan management against risking the leg-spinner in multi-day matches while his back injury is still being managed. Red-ball cricket requires bowlers to deliver extended spells over multiple days, creating a significantly higher strain on the spine than four-over spells in Twenty20 matches.

The ICC and Lokmat Times confirmed that Afghanistan’s team management remains optimistic about Rashid’s eventual comeback. However, they are prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term selection. Hindusthan Samachar English noted that lingering fitness concerns have delayed his Test return, forcing the team to balance his white-ball workload with his recovery protocol. Until doctors issue a complete clearance, Afghanistan will continue to field a side without their premier spinner.

Rahmat Shah’s rare captaincy milestone alongside Virat Kohli

Beyond guiding team selection, Rahmat has established himself as a central figure in Afghanistan’s batting order. News18 reported that Rahmat joined an elite global list of Test leaders after becoming only the sixth player in world cricket to score a century and make a 50-plus score in his maiden Test match as captain.

That feat puts him in company with former India skipper Virat Kohli, who famously struck twin centuries in his captaincy debut against Australia at Adelaide in 2014. For an international captain leading a developing Test nation, matching a statistical benchmark set by world-class batters highlights Rahmat’s composure when taking on administrative and batting responsibilities simultaneously.

How Rahmat has anchored Afghanistan’s middle order

Rahmat’s performance with the bat has repeatedly rescued Afghanistan during tough Test passages. Cricbuzz reported that the 24-year-old batsman smashed a splendid 114 off 110 balls in a dominant victory, coming to the crease after opener Ihsanullah Janat laid a foundation with a 53-ball 54. Rahmat took control of the innings after Afghanistan slipped to 175 for 4, elevating the team to a massive first-innings total that set up a crushing win.

He delivered another critical rescue act during a single Test match against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. Facing a steep deficit, Rahmat struck an unbeaten 84 on Day 2 to pull his team back into contention. By stumps, Afghanistan reached 211/4, cutting into the opposition’s advantage and trailing Bangladesh by 135 runs heading into the third day.

Until the medical team provides full clearance for Rashid to resume red-ball bowling, Rahmat will continue to anchor Afghanistan’s top order while directing the bowling attack in subcontinental conditions.