The return of Rashid Khan to Test cricket

After a batter’s dream in the Boxing Day Test in Bulawayo resulted in a high scoring and quite dull draw, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan took to the same venue for the second Test which started on Thursday.

Rashid Khan returns to Test duty for Afghanistan

Over the festive period, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Afsar Zazai all scored tons in a wicket with little for the bowlers.

The eyes of the world might be slightly more occupied on some higher profile games around the world at the moment but a lesser spotted Afghanistan Test match is always a joy as they continue to build up their experience in the red ball arena. Whilst Zimbabwe don’t necessarily have a huge am

ount of form under their belt they provide a great challenge to Afghanistan.

Whilst games between the top 9 full member nations count towards the World Test Championship table, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan’s only count towards their Test ranking. As such, perhaps less credence towards public interest is given. 

In these smaller, less publicised games however it is easier to miss the context which makes them so fascinating when the eyes of the media is focussed elsewhere. This ongoing series is no different.

Zimbabwe have their best chance in 14 years of winning a Test series which would only be their second series victory since their 6 year hiatus that ended in 2011. For Afghanistan, a win in this second Test would mark their first Test series win in 6 years since winning away in Bangladesh.

Away from team results, players and their milestones also attract plenty of interest in the games that they play - particularly when red ball appearances are often sparse.

Ben Curran did bring headlines to this bilateral series between the two countries having been called up by the Chevrons and following in the footsteps of his father to represent Zimbabwe.

The biggest star to play in this Test series though is undoubtedly Afghanistan’s talismanic leg spinner, Rashid Khan who is making his first red ball appearance since 2021 when these two teams last met.

Injuries and other commitments have limited Rashid’s appearances in recent years after having been ever present in their first 4 games and captaining them in two appearances. Since 2021 though, Afghanistan have had to cope without Khan’s magic and, as previously mentioned, haven’t won since.

When playing, Khan does tend to rack up quite a few overs, possibly even overloading himself for a man out of practice of the demands of Test cricket. The overs he’s willing to put in almost answer any lingering questions over his determination to play the longest format. One thing that cannot be questioned about the Nangarhar-born spinner is his commitment to his nation. Over the years, Khan has regularly played in qualifying tournaments against smaller nations to help Afghanistan over the line - his commitment to Test cricket is no different.

Despite missing out on half of Afghanistan’s total Tests up until this match, Khan is still Afghanistan’s top Test wicket-taker with 38 wickets which is 20 more than the 18 which Amir Hamza took in his 4 appearances. Should Khan get to 50 in his next Test he will equal the quickest to that mark in 7 Tests alongside Vernon Philander and Prabath Jayasuriya.

Beyond the numbers though, Rashid Khan’s appearance adds a star quality to the game. Few off the 22 who have taken the field can claim to have appeared in the competitions he’s played in, let alone won them as he has the Big Bash and the IPL. He’s played alongside some of the best in the game too, the likes of Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, Jofra Archer, Shakib Al Hasan and Joe Root have all stepped onto the field with Khan.

Perhaps the closest to him in this game is Sikandar Raza who has also forged a career in franchise cricket round the world. Rahmanullah Gurbaz may also have run both of them close but he is out of this series with an injury sustained in the T20 series.

Hopefully, a bit of star power from the great spinner will draw some eyes to this Test. Whilst may will still turn to Cape Town or Sydney this week, some will be keeping their eye on the brilliantly close showdown in Bulawayo.