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Afghanistan, who will take on New Zealand in a historic one-off Test, received a massive blow on the eve of the Test. Star Afghanistan batter, Ibrahim Zadran has been ruled out of the Test, starting Monday, September 9 in Greater Noida after sustaining an ankle injury. The development was conveyed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), confirming that the Afghan opener hurt his ankle during the practice session.
Notably, this comes as a big blow for the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side after they were already missing the services of their star player Rashid Khan. The 22-year-old Afghan opening batter sustained an injury to his ankle during the team’s final practice session on Sunday. It is to be further added that Zadran is one of the only four Test centurions for Afghanistan.
Ibrahim Zadran ruled out of one-off Test vs NZ; to miss ODI series vs South Africa
Speaking ahead of the Test match, Afghanistan skipper, Hasmatullah Shahidi also addressed on the injury sustained by Zadran. "Today, in the practice session, Ibrahim had an injury in his ankle. But it's not sure 100 per cent what will happen tomorrow. We will see what will happen with him," Shahidi informed at the pre-match press conference.
However, the development w as confirmed of Ibrahim Zadran missing the Test later in the night by the ACB. The Afghanistan board also added that the 22-year-old will miss the ODI series against South Africa. The Afghan Atalans are set to take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series, starting September 18 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Afghanistan squad for one-off Test vs New Zealand
Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hassan, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Ikram Alikhil (w), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Khalil Ahmed, Zia-ur-Rehman, Afsar Zazai, Nijat Masood, Shamsurrahman, Abdul Malik
