Afghanistan's star spinner, Rashid Khan, will be absent from the upcoming three-match Twenty20 series against India due to injury.
Despite Rashid's absence, team captain Ibrahim Zadran assured that the squad possesses ample experience to compensate for the loss.
Rashid, who underwent lower-back surgery in November, is still part of the travelling team, and Zadran expressed hope for his swift recovery.
Speaking to reporters, Zadran acknowledged Rashid's importance but emphasised the team's readiness to face challenges in cricket.
The 25-year-old Rashid is a key component of Afghanistan's elite spin attack, featuring Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi.
The T20 series serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup in June, and Afghanistan faces a formidable Indian side led by captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli.
Zadran acknowledged the difficulty of playing in India but expressed confidence in his team's abilities.
"Playing against India on their home soil is a difficult task, but we came here to play well against them and show our skills," said Zadran.
Despite being considered cricketing minnows, Afghanistan impressed in the ODI World Cup last year with notable victories.
Zadran highlighted the raised expectations from fans and the global cricket community, stating that the team is motivated to meet these expectations.
He expressed the team's goal of playing positive cricket and showcasing their skills on the field.