SL vs AFG: Lower-back injury puts Rashid Khan on sidelines for first two ODIs

Afghanistan's ace spinner Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka due to a lower-back injury. The star match winner is expected to make his comeback for the third and final ODI to be played on June 7 in Hambantota.

The three-match One-Day International series will kickstart from Friday, June 2 with the first ODI slated to be played in Hambantota. The second ODI will be played at the same venue on Sunday, June 4. After the conclusion of the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan will travel to Bangladesh to play a one-off Test in Chattogram.

Rashid's injury will see the trio of Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and the young spin prodigy Noor Ahmad take extra responsibility in the spin department. Hashmatullah Shahidi will be seen leading the side. The Afghanistan Cricket Board also gave an update on Rashid's injury in a statement. "He will remain under full medical observation, and is expected to return for the final ODI on June 7."

Rashid to kick-off national duties after impressive IPL 2023

Rashid enjoyed a wonderful Indian Premier League 2023 while playing for the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans. Titans entered the season as defending champions and went all the way to the summit clash before finally losing the opportunity to retain their title in a last-ball thriller against Chennai Super Kings in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29.

The 24-year-old wrist spinner led the spin attack for the Titans from the front and snared 27 scalps in 17 matches at an economy rate of 8.24. He finished the season as the joint-second-most leading wicket-taker of the season alongside his fellow teammate Mohit Sharma.

Rashid's impressive outings in the IPL 2023 also included a hat-trick (solitary hat-trick of IPL 2023) which he claimed against Kolkata Knight Riders while leading the side in the absence of the regular skipper Hardik Pandya at the Narendra Modi Stadium in match no. 13.