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Afghanistan’s cricket sensation, Rashid Khan, is poised for a much-anticipated return to the Big Bash League (BBL) for its upcoming 13th season. Rashid had previously taken a principled stance by boycotting the league, citing Cricket Australia’s (CA) controversial decision to withdraw from a white-ball series with Afghanistan on human rights grounds as his reason.
This pivotal development occurred in January, when CA decided to forfeit a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. CA’s decision was made in response to concerns over human rights issues in Afghanistan, particularly the Taliban’s troubling ban on girls’ university education. Rashid had openly expressed his disappointment and unease over CA’s stance on Twitter, resulting in his departure from the 2022-23 BBL season.
Cricket! The only hope for the country.
Keep politics out of it. @CricketAus @BBL @ACBofficials ♥️ 🇦🇫 ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZPpvOBetPJ— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) January 12, 2023
During that season, the Adelaide Strikers had to navigate without their star player, eventually finishing in seventh place. Notably, Rashid had been an indispensable part of the Strikers since his debut in BBL season seven. He burst onto the scene as a prodigiously talented 19-year-old and swiftly became a central figure in the league.
BBL breathes easier as Rashid Khan accepts draft invitation
In a surprising turn of events, Rashid now seems poised for a remarkable comeback to the BBL, signaling a significant change in circumstances and perspectives since his previous boycott. According to a ESPNcricinfo report, the 24-year-old is likely to be retained by the Strikers as a Platinum pick in the upcoming drafts, scheduled for Sunday, September 3. This suggests that fans can eagerly anticipate Rashid’s return to the BBL, where he is expected to dazzle with his cricketing prowess once again. The BBL for the 13th season is scheduled to be held from December 7 to January 24.
However, it’s worth noting that Rashid’s commitment to the BBL is likely to be briefly interrupted, as he is expected to travel to South Africa to play in the SA20 League, begins on January 10, for his franchise MI Cape Town.
Rashid is not the sole Afghan cricketer making a comeback to the BBL this season. Several other Afghan talents, including Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Izharulhaq Naveed and Shafiqullah Ghafari, have also expressed their interest in the draft.
Also READ: 7 Australia players who featured in the 2019 ODI World Cup but won’t play in the 2023 CWC
