Rashid Khan Test future questioned [Source: AP]Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan recently talked about his red-ball future, hinting at stepping away from Test cricket, and now Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus has weighed in on the situation.For context, Rashid has been dealing with recurring back issues, which are especially risky for wrist spinners who play all three formats regularly. He himself admitted that playing long formats like Test cricket could shorten his career.Rashid Khan uncertain about his Test careerDuring IPL 2026, Rashid Khan revealed that his doctor warned him that bowling long spells, 50–60 overs in a Test match, is not sustainable for his fitness and could lead to long-term damage.Rashid used the example of his spell against Zimbabwe where he bowled 60+ overs to stress that the doctors were shocked to learn about his excessive workload. "The doctor told me, 'if you don't want to play cricket, you keep playing red-ball cricket' because it's not going to support you. You won't be [there] for longer to play for Afghanistan and I still went and I still played, and when he knew I bowled 67 [55] overs (against Zimbabwe) in in two innings, he was shocked. He was like 'no, you can't do that to yourself'. I will think about that," Rashid said. Afghanistan coach talks about Rashid Khan’s futureMeanwhile, fans took it as a hint that perhaps Rashid was thinking of quitting Test cricket. Amidst this, Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus, talking to Cricbuzz, said the team will not risk Rashid’s long-term health just for occasional Tests."Yeah, I think so (better to rest him against India if there is a risk of injury ahead of the busy white-ball calendar). But you know I mean, there is Rashid's health, you know, his long-term health outside of cricket, and you don't want somebody who gets into their 40s, 50s, 60s, etc., suffering because of injuries sustained during their playing career,” Pybus said.He explained that a player's health comes first, and there's no point risking him for just one Test per year. "Well, look, this is all about his physical condition, you know? I'm yet to go through the players in the different formats with the selectors. But in terms of his history with his back and where he's come from, it is about player management. So, there's never a desire to risk a player's health or the long-term health, for workloads which aren't sustainable. So if he is available for one Test, which Test is that going to be? So that'll be a good discussion with the selectors," he added.From Pybus’ statement, it’s clear that Rashid will not play the upcoming Test against India in June. But as far as his overall Test future is concerned, Afghanistan are already opting for a cautious and measured approach.Also Read - From Magician To Mediocre - The Shocking Rashid Khan Downfall No One Really Talks AboutRashid Khan sets eyes on the 2027 ODI World CupAnother reason behind Rashid Khan's withdrawal from Test cricket could be the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is his priority. That’s the stage where Afghanistan realistically competes for impact. So the trade-off for Rashid Khan is to skip Tests and stay fit for major white-ball tournaments. Overall, the Afghanistan Cricket Board appears to be aligning its strategy with modern workload management, prioritising player longevity over short-term gains. With Rashid Khan being central to Afghanistan’s white-ball ambitions, particularly in global tournaments, preserving his fitness could prove crucial for the team’s success.Currently, Rashid is playing the IPL 2026 season with the Gujarat Titans. In 3 games so far, he has picked up 5 wickets at a 17.00 average.Also Read - Ayush Mhatre Issues Official Statement On CSK Retiring Him Out
