Afghanistan’s head coach Richard Pybus has insisted the team will not endanger Rashid Khan’s long-term well-being by pushing him into red-ball cricket if his body is not ready. Rashid, who is currently playing in the IPL for Gujarat Titans, has recently spoken about managing his Test workload amid a back issue, leaving his availability for a one-off Test against India in June uncertain. Pybus said the final call will be based on a careful assessment of risk versus reward, with player welfare and sustainable workload management at the centre of the decision.
Key takeaways
- Richard Pybus said Afghanistan won’t pressure Rashid Khan into red-ball cricket if there’s a meaningful injury risk.
- Rashid Khan has indicated he wants to reduce his Test appearances to protect his international career because of a back problem.
- Rashid’s participation in the single Test versus India, scheduled for June, is currently in doubt.
- Pybus framed the discussion as one of player management, including his health beyond the immediate playing season.
- Afghanistan’s coach is in the country to oversee a month-long training camp running from April 12 to May 16 ahead of India Tests and ODIs.
Rashid’s back concerns and the June Test question
Rashid Khan has suggested that he is aiming to scale back his involvement in Tests after experiencing back troubles. His comments imply a longer-term plan rather than a short-term solution, as he weighs what might be required to stay available across formats for years to come.
During his stint in the ongoing Indian Premier League with Gujarat Titans, Rashid described how a medical opinion warned him against continuing to play red-ball cricket if it was not helping his situation. He said the message was that persistent red-ball workload would not support his body, and that he was cautioned about what the continued grind could mean for his ability to represent Afghanistan at the highest level.
Rashid also referenced an episode from a recent red-ball outing against Zimbabwe, where he bowled 55 overs in an innings across two innings (noting figures in his comments). He said the doctor reacted strongly after seeing the volume, telling him he “can’t do that” to himself, and he added that he would consider the advice going forward.
Rashid further explained his approach to managing cricket commitments. He indicated that since he had already participated in one red-ball match previously, he would “take it easy” afterward. He also looked ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, stressing that an injury during a Test could have serious implications for his ability to play a large number of matches across years, particularly when he believes there is no specific “target” in Test cricket comparable to the shorter-cycle nature of other international formats.
Pybus: workload decisions will be made by weighing pros and cons
When Pybus was asked about Rashid’s future in red-ball cricket, he said Afghanistan will make a decision after evaluating the advantages and potential downsides. He suggested that if there is any risk of injury ahead of a demanding stretch in the white-ball portion of the calendar, resting Rashid for the India Test would be the sensible option.
Pybus acknowledged that there will be broader debate around the idea of playing only one Test a year, including which specific match that would involve. However, he said the discussion is not purely about scheduling—it is also about Rashid’s health and his long-term well-being away from the field. Pybus warned against the consequences that can come when players enter their 40s, 50s, and beyond and suffer from injuries sustained during their playing career.
He described the issue as being fundamentally about physical condition and responsible player management. Pybus added that while he had not yet gone through every player across formats with the selectors, Rashid’s history with his back, and what he has come through, is central to the planning. In Pybus’s view, there is never an intention to gamble with a player’s present health or long-term health for workloads that cannot be maintained over time.
With the India Test looming in June, Pybus said the key question remains whether Rashid is available for a Test at all—and if so, which match that would be. He indicated that this would lead to a constructive conversation with the selectors, framed around sustainable workload and protecting the player.
Pybus in Afghanistan as skill camp begins ahead of India series
Pybus is currently in Afghanistan. Earlier, he had expressed that he does not have any issue working from this part of the world and is focused on developing the country’s cricket. He arrived in Kabul recently to oversee the national team’s upcoming skill development and training camp.
This visit marks his first time in the Afghan capital. During his time there, he met with officials from the Selection Committee, the International and Domestic Cricket departments, and the High-Performance Center.
Discussions also included the national team captains Hashmatullah Shahidi and Ibrahim Zadran. The meetings centred on upcoming FTP fixtures, overall strategies, and the structure—along with the start and management—of the skill development and training camp.
Under the Afghan Cricket Board’s plan, the camp will last for a month and will involve nearly 40 players. It will be run under the direct supervision of the High-Performance Center and with the presence of the new head coach. The training programme is scheduled from April 12 to May 16, with players expected to undergo intense and well-rounded preparation in the lead-up to the Tests and ODIs against India.
