Atal and Rahmat return for Afghanistan’s Test in India

Afghanistan have recalled top‑order batters Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah for the one‑off Test against India, while all‑rounder Azmatullah Omarzai also returns to the 15‑man squad led by Hashmatullah Shahidi. Atal and Omarzai have just one Test cap each, both earned against Zimbabwe in 2024, whereas Rahmat remains one of Afghanistan’s most experienced red‑ball players, having featured in 11 of the nation’s 12 Tests.

As anticipated, Rashid Khan continues to sit out the longest format, with head coach Richard Pybus urging him to prioritise long‑term fitness following recent injury concerns. In his absence, Qais Ahmad is expected to lead the spin attack alongside left‑arm options Sharafuddin Ashraf and Nangeyalia Kharote. The Test will be staged in New Chandigarh from June six to ten. For the ODI series beginning June fourteen in Dharamsala, Afghanistan retain a familiar squad, with left‑arm seamer Fareed Malik the notable returning addition.