Rashid Khan. (Photo Source: Sarah Reed – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
After Australia decided to withdraw the white-ball series against Afghanistan based on human rights grounds, star cricketer Rashid Khan came out in public to condemn the act. The 24-year-old also threatened to boycott the Big Bash League, and that created quite a drama in the cricketing world as multiple such Afghan cricketers followed him and stated the same.
Meanwhile, things have cooled down since then, as Rashid is all set to make his return in the marquee tournament. It has been reported that the leg-spinner has registered himself as one of the overseas draft picks, which will eventually allow Adelaide Strikers to retain him for the upcoming edition of the competition.
On the other hand, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed and Izharulhaq Naveed, who previously spoke against Cricket Australia’s decision to boycott the series against Afghanistan, have all registered for BBL 2023-24.
Notably, the governing body of Australia made it clear in January 2023 that they will not be playing against Afghanistan in a bilateral series but will be welcoming players to participate in the franchise competition.
The upcoming edition of BBL will be colliding with the second edition of ILT20; hence, many cricketers are expected to leave early. Rashid, a vital part of MI Emirates, may also leave the season early. That might create a problem; thus, the teams might hesitate to have him on board. However, with 98 wickets to his name, Rashid is the leading overseas wicket-taker in the tournament. Thus, it will be bold for the franchises not to consider him for selection.
Meanwhile, Rashid Khan is in incredible form at the moment. He was very effective in the inaugural edition of the Major League Cricket, courtesy of which MI New York managed to win the competition. He picked up two wickets for Afghanistan in the opening ODI against Pakistan, but his team suffered a humiliating 142-run defeat ahead of the Asia Cup. Thus, he will be eager to improve and help his team name a comeback in the three-match series.