The Hundred 2023: Trent Rockets suffer major blow as Rashid Khan pulls out of the tournament

Rashid Khan. (Photo Source: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Trent Rockets assembled a formidable squad during ‘The Draft’ with a commendable balance of youth and experience. One of their most significant assets was Afghan superstar Rashid Khan, who had signed a three-match contract with them. However, the 24-year-old has pulled out of the tournament owing to an undisclosed injury.

Trent Rockets, who won the tournament in 2022 after beating Manchester Originals in the finals at Lord’s, play in the curtain raiser of this edition of The Hundred against Southern Brave on Tuesday, August 1 at Trent Bridge, in Nottingham. Rashid was set to play in this game and a couple of more games, following which he would have been replaced by the Kiwi leg-spinner, Ish Sodhi.

Rashid expressed his disappointment at not being able to take part in the unique white-ball tournament but hoped to be back for the next edition.

“I’m really disappointed to have to withdraw from The Hundred through injury. It’s been great to play in the competition the first two years, Trent Rockets is a great team, and I hope to be back again next year,” Rashid was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Furthermore, the Afghan leg spinner mentioned that he missed a couple of ODIs against Sri Lanka earlier this year with a back injury that is “still to be fully recovered”.

Rashid Khan helped MI New York win the inaugural MLC 2023

Rashid Khan has played a lot of cricket in recent times. After playing the final game of a two-match T20I series in Bangladesh on Sunday, July 16, the talismanic spinner travelled to the USA to compete in the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) for MI New York (MINY), debuting against Texas Super Kings on Tuesday, July 18.

The experienced bowler wasn’t in great form during the tournament but he proved his mettle in the summit clash against Seattle Orcas. His miserly spell in the first innings of 3/9 in four overs helped MI New York restrict Wayne Parnell and Co. to a score of 183/9 in 20 overs. Nicholas Pooran, who was leading the MINY side, slammed an unbeaten 55-ball 137 to take his team home.