The Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has decided to skip the Big Bash League tournament 2024-2025. This will be a significant setback for Adelaide Strikers since he is among the big names in the competition.
This started back in the 2023 season when Australia skipped an ODI series with Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s banned Education for girls.
The Afghan skipper skipped the tournament last season after he threatened to boycott BBL 2023. Even though he withdrew from his decision, he decided to stick with his original decision and hence opted out of the league.
It is understood that the Strikers were in constant contact with Rashid Khan before the decision not to play this summer. As per reports, Cricket Australia is adamant that Australia skipping the ODI series is not the reason for him withdrawing from Big Bash.
Rashid Khan has been one of the key players for the Strikers in the previous seasons. he has bagged 98 wickets in 69 matches. Cricket Australia has revealed that they will always have Rashid back in the league and there is no animosity between the two parties.
Rashid Khan recently featured in The Hundred for the Trent Rockets before sustaining an in injury while fielding. He is set to play a series against Zimbabwe in December while he will represent the MI New York in the SA20 third season.
Rashid Khan’s decision not to participate comes as Australia’s Test captain, Pat Cummins also indicated that he will be missing the Australia domestic league. Cummins has hinted at increasing workload management ahead of the Border Gavaskar Trophy Test series and the Sri Lanka tour as the reason for the unavailability.
However, Big Bash will have the dates overlap with the South African league and there are concrete efforts to wrap up the franchise tournaments as the Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled in February.
Also Check: BBL 2024-25 Squad, New Signings – Big Bash League
