Rashid Khan sits out second innings against New Zealand due to concussion

After a great start to their innings without Mohammad Shahzad, 61/0 in 10 overs, Afghanistan lost both their openers in a space of three balls. They never completely recovered from that and by the time Rashid Khan came out to bat the scorecard read 130/7. Rashid, who is a handy hitter lower down the order, struggled to get going, failing to add to the total in his first three balls.

On the fourth ball of the 34th over, Lockie Ferguson bowled a 138 kph short ball which Rashid misread and got hit on the helmet. The ball went onto hit the stumps as Afghanistan lost their eighth wicket. The bigger concern, however, was Rashid’s well being and the Physios immediately made their way onto the field to assess him. 

After walking back to the dressing room, Cricbuzz reported that Rashid underwent the first concussion test and failed it. Half an hour later, the star leg spinner failed his second concussion test as well which meant that he was ruled out of the game. Whether or not Rashid will be available for the next game remains to be seen, but Afghanistan missed him as they succumbed to a seven-wicket loss - their third of the tournament.