Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan is set to return to international cricket after recovering from back surgery he had in November 2023. Rashid will feature in the three-T20I series against Ireland starting March 15, just a week before Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 action begins.
"The plan is to represent the country in the upcoming series (T20 against Afghanistan) and the training has been underway and today was the second day and thankfully it went well and I hope that the following few days will also be well so that I can wear the national jersey again and continue to do well for my country," Rashid was quoted in a VDO interview posted by Afghanistan Cricket Board on March 9.
Rashid admits facing difficulties after surgery
Rashid admitted that being away from the game hasn't been easy as the rehabilitation process took longer than expected.
"The last three months were difficult because I had surgery. I had been suffering from a back injury for the last seven to eight months and the doctor had asked me to have surgery even before the World Cup but I decided to play the World Cup and have surgery afterwards because it was such an important event for us but Alhamdulillah I am back on the field and feeling well now and now my focus is on returning to the field and bringing joy and success to the nation.
"It was indeed very tough because undergoing surgery and then going through the recovery process is not easy because you need to focus on everything and you need to take care of your rehab and your training as it is a very slow process because you will gradually start walking first and then the gym workouts so those are very tough days.
"They are (tough) because it is more than just a surgery as it is returning to the field and being the same person you were when you left and it was a difficult period," he added.
Less turnaround time before IPL 2024
Rashid playing the T20I series will mean that he will be able to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Gujarat Titans just days before the action begins. The T20I series against Ireland will end on March 18. GT will begin their IPL 2024 campaign against Hardik Pandya-led Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 24 in Ahmedabad.
IPL crucial to prepare for T20 World Cup 2024
The Afghan all-rounder's aim is to prepare well for the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. He feels IPL 2024 will help Afghan players prepare for the mega event.
"The focus is always playing good cricket and doing well and we have played enough against Ireland and we hope to do well and perform well because it's a great preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup and so the focus is on making the most out of it and preparing well for that event.
"The next two months are very crucial for us we don't have more games to play after these three games against Ireland and the focus will be to learn more from these games and the players can work hard during the last two to three months before the World Cup," he said adding that IPL will also help them prepare for the global event.
"The good thing is most of our players will be playing IPL and it will be good preparation for the World Cup and we will also keep in touch with those who are not there (in the IPL) to continue working hard in this period," the leg-spinner concluded.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Karachi-born UAE batter smashes third PSL hundred, equals Kamran Akmal's all-time league record
