Rashid Khan Limits Test Cricket for Back Injury Management

Afghanistan's star leg-spinner Rashid Khan announced plans to drastically cut back on Test cricket to manage a persistent back injury, prioritizing limited-overs formats to extend his international career. The 27-year-old, who captains the national Twenty20 side, shared his intentions after a standout performance in the Indian Premier League, where he helped the Gujarat Titans secure a one-run victory over the Delhi Capitals.

Rashid's decision stems from medical advice following lower-back surgery in late 2023, after he delayed the procedure to compete in that year's One Day International World Cup. Doctors urged him to avoid the physical demands of red-ball cricket, warning that continued participation could jeopardize his ability to play at all. "Red-ball cricket is a little difficult because that was the first thing my doctor told me: Stay away from red-ball cricket," Rashid said in a post-match press conference in New Delhi. Despite the guidance, he pushed through to play a Test against Zimbabwe in early 2025, bowling 54 overs across the match and claiming 11 wickets, including career-best figures of seven for 66 in the second innings. He later described the effort as...