Afsar Zazai

Afghanistan missed a crucial DRS opportunity to dismiss Rishabh Pant, who went on to score 81 runs. Replays later confirmed a clear edge on Pant's bat, a decision that proved costly for the visitors. Pant's entertaining knock was eventually ended by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Speaking ahead of Afghanistan's one-off Test against India in New Chandigarh, starting on Saturday, Shahidi said the team needs a more comprehensive Test schedule to continue its development.

Rishabh Pant achieved a significant milestone, becoming the third Indian wicketkeeper to play 50 Test matches. At 28, he joins legends Dhoni and Kirmani. Despite recent career challenges, Pant's Test record remains exceptional, marked by match-winning performances and a strong batting average. This achievement underscores his enduring value in the longest format of the game.

Manav Suthar enjoyed a dream Test debut against Afghanistan, claiming 6/33. The 23-year-old registered the best bowling figures in an innings on Test debut by an Indian in 38 years. It is the best since Narendra Hirwani's 8/61 against West Indies in 1988. The left-arm spinner helped bowl Afghanistan out for 152 and joined an elite list featuring Hirwani, R Ashwin, Dilip Doshi and Syed Abid Ali.

Manav Suthar made a stellar Test debut, snaring three wickets on Day 2 against Afghanistan and earning praise from Sunil Gavaskar. The left-arm spinner not only impressed with his accurate bowling but also displayed remarkable composure and confidence with the bat. Suthar's promising start suggests he possesses the attributes for future Test success.

Manav Suthar received his first India Test cap on Saturday. The Rajasthan all-rounder was presented with the cap before the Afghanistan Test. Suthar is a 23-year-old left-arm spinner and lower-order batsman. He earned his call-up after strong domestic performances. This debut marks a significant step for the young cricketer.

Washington Sundar hailed debutant Manav Suthar as a special talent after the left-arm spinner's impressive all-round performance against Afghanistan. Suthar claimed 3 for 21 and scored 28, with Sundar praising his ability to generate turn, relentless effort and strong grounding in red-ball cricket.

India dominated day two of the Test against Afghanistan. Hosts declared at 564/8, with centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. Debutant Manav Suthar impressed with three wickets. Afghanistan ended the day at 113/5, trailing by 451 runs. Rahmat Shah reached 1,000 Test runs. India is in a strong position to win.

India took charge on Day One, posting an impressive score of 368/3 against Afghanistan, highlighted by KL Rahul and Shubman Gill's centuries and a vital 81 from Sai Sudharsan. Although the innings began with some jitters from post-IPL fatigue, the Indian top order found its rhythm, culminating in strong performances from Gill and Rishabh Pant.

KL Rahul's patient century and Sai Sudharsan's fluent 81 guided India to a strong position on Day 1 of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Both batsmen successfully transitioned from T20 to Test cricket, overcoming initial rustiness and justifying the team management's faith. Their partnership laid a solid foundation for India's dominance.

Three years after catching Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's attention at Afghanistan's high-performance centre, Mohammad Saleem Safi delivered the performance of his life against India. The 23-year-old pacer claimed a maiden six-wicket haul, completing a remarkable journey from financial hardship and self-doubt to becoming Afghanistan's newest pace sensation.

Batter Darwish Rasooli and pacer Salim Safi were on Thursday picked in Afghanistan's 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Afghanistan's Hashmatullah Shahidi scored a record 246 runs, and Zimbabwe's Brian Bennett took 5 wickets in a drawn Test match in Bulawayo. Both teams set national record first innings scores, with Afghanistan posting 699 and Zimbabwe 586. Despite Bennett's impressive debut performance, rain and stability from veterans Ervine and Williams ensured the match ended without a result.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi remained unbeaten on 179 as Afghanistan trails Zimbabwe by 71 runs after a rain-hit fourth day of the first Test. Rahmat Shah scored 234 in a 364-run partnership with Shahidi, while rain halted play at 515/3. Both teams face slim chances of victory with more rain forecast for the final day.

Rahmat Shah's remarkable 139-run performance significantly bolstered Afghanistan's position in the second Test against Zimbabwe, finishing the third day at 291 for 7 with a lead of 205 runs. Ismat Alam supported with a solid 64. Despite early setbacks, Shah's resilience helped Afghanistan recover. Blessing Muzarabani was Zimbabwe's top bowler, taking 4 wickets for 71 runs.

Afghanistan's final 16-member squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand on September 9 in Greater Noida includes uncapped players Riaz Hassan, Shamsurrahman, and Khalil Ahmed. Rashid Khan is absent due to injury; Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will lead the spin attack. The selection followed a 10-day preparation camp involving 19 players.

Not very often do you see spinners dominating Day One of a Test match. But, a 'heavyweight' performance by Rakheem Cornwall put West Indies in a position of strength on the opening day of their one-off Test against Afghanistan.

Ace spinner Rashid Khan was Monday named in a strong Afghanistan squad for the five-match Twenty20 international series in Ireland starting next week. The 23-year-old is a key for Afghanistan in Ireland as well as in the Asia Cup (August-September) in United Arab Emirates and Twenty20 World Cup (October-November) in Australia.

Afghanistan on Monday dropped four players from their Twenty20 World Cup squad, also shuffling the one-day combination for their tour of Bangladesh starting next month.

All-rounder Samiullah Shinwari was on Tuesday recalled after a two-year absence from Afghanistan's cricket team, as the country announced its 17-man squad for the Asia Cup kicking off in the United Arab Emirates later this month.

Afghanistan are a young Test team who are trying to settle into the demands of the longest form of the game. Despite having some players who are fond of playing fearless cricket, they still lack exposure and experience in this format of the game.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Tuesday announced the squads for the upcoming Test against Bangladesh and T20I triangular series. Spinner Rashid Khan will lead the team in both the formats. Selectors named 15-member squad for Bangladesh Test and 17-member squad for Afghanistan-Bangladesh-Zimbabwe T20I triangular series.

Due to a finger injury, Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan is likely to miss the first Test against Zimbabwe that will kick-start on Tuesday.

Afghanistan's star all-rounder Rashid Khan will miss the upcoming Test match against New Zealand, scheduled between September 9 to 13, due to a back injury sustained in July. This match in Greater Noida marks Afghanistan’s 10th Test. Rashid's last Test outing was in March 2021. Afghanistan Cricket Board has not explained his absence officially.

The Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground will host a historic one-off test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand. Led by captains Hashmatullah Shahidi and Tim Southee, the event is expected to draw over 10,000 cricket fans. Supported by Play Sports, this match marks a significant moment for the city.

Afghanistan has added spinner AM Ghazanfar to their Test squad for the series against Zimbabwe, starting in Bulawayo. Ghazanfar replaces Rashid Khan, who is absent for personal reasons. Ghazanfar's recent impressive performances, including a standout showing in the ODI series, have earned him this opportunity.

Afghanistan have recalled batsmen Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai to their 16-man squad for the two-match Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh later this month.

Paceman Blessing Muzarabani took four wickets while skipper Sean Williams hit an unbeaten half-century to help Zimbabwe take lead on the opening day of the first Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.