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Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan has admitted that playing Test cricket on a regular basis may no longer be realistic for him, as he continues to manage ongoing back issues that have significantly shaped his workload across formats.
The 27-year-old, one of the most influential white-ball bowlers in world cricket, said medical advice has played a key role in his decision to step back from red-ball cricket, with a long-term focus now on preserving his career in limited-overs formats.
Speaking after a match-winning spell for the Gujarat Titans against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2026 in Delhi, Rashid opened up about the physical challenges that have forced him to rethink his involvement in Test cricket.
“Red-ball cricket is a little difficult because that was the first thing my doctor told me to stay away from red-ball cricket,” Rashid said. “I still went ahead and played.”
He revealed that following his back surgery in 2023, he was specifically advised to avoid the longest format due to the strain it places on his body.
“The doctor told me that if you don’t want to play cricket, you can keep playing red-ball cricket. He said it’s not going to help me and that I won’t be able to play for long,” he added.
Rashid Khan, who captains Afghanistan in T20Is, underwent surgery in the United Kingdom after playing through the ODI World Cup in 2023 while carrying an injury.
Although he made a return to competitive cricket in 2024, the demands of continuous franchise and international cricket soon took a toll again, forcing him to reassess his schedule.
The spinner also reflected on the workload he has carried in the longest format, revealing how physically demanding his limited Test experience has been.
“In my last two Test matches, I bowled 126 overs, which is simply too much,” he said. “If I bowl a spell of 20–25 overs, I have to bowl the whole day. You can’t do that to yourself.”
Rashid has now indicated that he may restrict himself to just one Test per year, while prioritising ODI cricket and major tournaments such as the 2027 World Cup, where Afghanistan will be looking to build on their recent progress in the format.
“So yes, I will think about it. But ODI cricket, I really enjoy that format. I am in good shape to play ODIs for a longer period for Afghanistan,” he said. “Red-ball cricket is something that looks a bit difficult for me.”
Since Afghanistan gained Test status in 2017, opportunities in the format have been limited, and Rashid Khan himself has played only six Tests, though he has still managed to take 45 wickets at an impressive average of 20.44.
He briefly returned to red-ball cricket in early 2025 against Zimbabwe, where he produced a standout performance with 11 wickets in the match, but recurring back problems soon resurfaced later in the season, again affecting his rhythm.
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