Naveed Zadran Ruled Out of Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test

Published May 29, 2026 · Updated August 03, 2026

Afghanistan's Naveed Zadran is ruled out of the one-off Test against New Zealand. Get the latest team updates and match insights. Stay tuned for more.

Due to a side strain injury, Afghanistan seamer Naveed Zadran will not be playing in the one-off Test match against New Zealand. Notably, on September 9 at Greater Noida, India, Afghanistan will play the Kiwis in a one-off Test match. In the limited history of Afghanistan, this will be the first-ever Test in the longest format between the two teams.

But before the series began, they lost young seamen Zadran, who was told to take a three- to four-week break. The management is hoping he'll recover in time for the South Africa ODI series in the United Arab Emirates. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has not yet announced a substitute for the youth, who is 19 years old.

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Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan, is also absent from the match because his doctors have recommended him not to play in the longest format for a year after a back surgery he had last year. Notably, the board will declare a 15-member team at the conclusion of the series after evaluating players' performance and health. The 20-member preliminary squad is now participating in a preparatory camp ahead of the series.

🚨 Update🚨

Fast Bowler Naveed Zadran has been ruled out of Afghanistan’s only test match against New Zealand due to side strain injury.

The physio has advised him to rest for 3-4 weeks hoping that he gets better before the South Africa ODI series in UAE.

Get well soon Naveed! pic.twitter.com/0n2YlfGd5p

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 6, 2024

Squads

Afghanistan Preliminary Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Khalil Ahmad and Yama Arab.

New Zealand squad for one-off Test against Afghanistan: Tim Southee (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (VC), Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young