Rashid Khan Reflects on His Remarkable Test Comeback After Three-Year Hiatus
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Bulawayo, Jan 6 (NationPress) Rashid Khan marked his remarkable return to Test cricket by achieving a seven-wicket haul, earning him the coveted Man of the Match accolade as Afghanistan overcame Zimbabwe by 72 runs in the second Test held at the Queen Sports Club on Monday.
The 26-year-old cricketer, who had not participated in a Test match for three years, expressed his confidence in his skills despite a lengthy hiatus from the red ball. Rashid captured a total of 11 wickets during the match, including an impressive 7-66 in the second innings.
"Returning to Test cricket after three years was challenging, especially coming back from back surgery to play this format. It was truly a team effort, particularly the way our batters performed in the second innings, which helped us regain control of the game," Rashid remarked after the victory.
"I hadn’t bowled with the red ball for quite some time and hadn’t even touched it in the last three years. I had to maintain my faith in the skills I’ve developed over the past 10-12 years in international cricket. It’s less about bowling speed and more about the length of my deliveries, which creates challenges for the batsmen. I strive to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible," he added.
Rashid, who last played a Test match in March 2021, had been sidelined from Afghanistan's recent Test series due to injuries. Following this, a back injury necessitated a break from red-ball cricket per medical advice, preventing him from participating in the national team’s red-ball fixtures. Consequently, he missed Afghanistan's subsequent Test matches against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Ireland due to a combination of rest and injury.
Afghanistan secured a 1-0 series victory over Zimbabwe, with the first game concluding in a high-scoring draw. This success was attributed to outstanding batting performances by Rahmat Shah, who was named Player of the Series, and debutant Ismat Alam, who scored a century in the second innings after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings of the second Test. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi commended both players along with Rashid for their significant contributions to the victory.
"The entire team deserves credit, particularly Rahmat, Izmat, and Rashid. I must highlight Rahmat's performance; he has consistently showcased his talent when the team requires it. That was one of the best innings I have witnessed from him. Izmat has scored extensively in First-Class cricket. Our extensive First-Class matches this year helped us select players and contributed to his development," Shahidi stated.
