Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who has impressed one and all with his exploits in white-ball cricket, is looking forward to his country’s first-ever Test match in Australia later this year.
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The global COVID-19 pandemic had forced Cricket Australia to cancel Afghanistan’s one-off Test Down Under last November.
But according to a cricket.com.au report, plans are well underway for the two teams to meet in a Test to start the 2021-22 season.
The dates and venue for the solitary Test are yet to be confirmed, but the report claims that it will be held after the T20 World Cup in India, slated to culminate on November 14.
"The Test in Perth was huge for us, and everyone back home was waiting for it," Rashid told ESPN.
"It could have been a historic Test. It is like a dream that comes true for any player to be a part of it. I would have considered myself so lucky to play in Australia against Australia, but this pandemic has really affected us.
"Hopefully, things are better, and this year is a huge year for us as a team, as a nation, and as players, and we will try our best to deliver."
On Saturday (March 13), Rashid bowled the most number of overs in a single Test in the 21st century. He overtook Aussie spin legend Shane Warne's record of 98 overs in a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
Rashid, who ended up bowling 99.2 overs, achieved the feat in the second Test against Zimbabwe, which Afghanistan eventually won by 6 wickets to level the series 1-1.
According to Rashid, playing more Tests against bigger teams is important for the development of Afghanistan Cricket.
"If we start playing longer formats, more than three-to-four Tests a year, which is really important for us, it will help the team and the players improve their cricket, especially the youngsters," he said.
"If a youngster is playing a Test against a bigger team, only then he will realise what he needs to do and where he needs to improve.
"It's a test of technique, how mentally strong you are, and even how much passion you have in you, whether you are capable enough to survive and can rescue your team.
"Test cricket is what makes you a better cricketer and this is where we can get to improve our skills and our cricket in the long run."
