Huge loss for BBL as Rashid Khan pulls out for second consecutive season, cites busy schedule

Rashid Khan miss last season of BBL due to back injury.

Adelaide Strikers will miss the services of their premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2024/25 season. Rashid has been part of Adelaide Strikers since 2017 but the Afghanistan star is set to miss a second consecutive BBL season.

He has been one of the leading wicket-takers for his BBL franchise. He has played 69 games for Adelaide and taken 98 wickets at an economy rate of 6.44 with a best of 6/17.

Rashid Khan to miss BBL for the second consecutive season due to busy schedule

It has come as a big setback for the fans who were expecting the Afghan captain to play in the BBL 2024-25 after missing the last season due to a back injury. But unfortunately, fans will have to wait for another season as he is all set to miss this year’s competition.

The leg-spinner decided not to participate in the draft, which is scheduled to take place on September 1. The decision has come after a discussion between the Strikers and the leg-spinner. Notably, Rashid has taken the most wickets as an overseas bowler in the BBL. He has developed a massive fan following in Australia with his performances.

Some believe that Rashid has opted out of the BBL 2024/25 as a protest against Cricket Australia for cancelling the ODI series against Afghanistan, citing Human Rights Ground after the Taliban government banned education and sports for girls in Afghanistan.

However, Cricket Australia remains adamant that it is not the reason, instead it is Rashid’s busy schedule that has forced him to skip the upcoming BBL.

Almost 600 players have registered for the BBL draft for the upcoming season. Every team is authorised to have four overseas players each. Rashid Khan is likely to feature in upcoming test and white-ball games against Zimbabwe in December.

He will also feature in the third edition of the South Africa T20 League (SA20), which will begin on January 9. His fellow countryman Mujeeb-ur-Rahman is likely to feature in the upcoming BBL 2024-25.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.