Rashid Khan Takes Final Decision On His BBL Future After Spat With Cricket Australia Over 'Taliban Issue'

Afghanistan superstar Rashid Khan has taken a U-turn on his stance for Big Bash League (BBL), Australia’s premier T20 competition. The leg-spinner and Cricket Australia (CA) were involved in a spat earlier this year in January after the latter forfeited a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

The CA took the decision after the Taliban imposed restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights. With the Taliban imposing restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities, CA decided to call off the three-match series against Rashid Khan & Co.

The spinner, however, was not at all impressed with the decision and left the BBL midway through the season. He also took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disappointment over the cancellation of the series and had also threatened to boycott the competition, writing:

“I am really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March. If playing Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition.”

Rashid Khan takes a decision on BBL participation:

Ahead of the upcoming season of the BBL, Rashid Khan has decided to play in the tournament. According to the Australian Associated Press, the Afghanistan spin spearhead will be taking part in the BBL 2023-24 season. The tournament is scheduled to be played from December 7 to January 24.

Rashid Khan is a cult figure in Australia thanks to his exploits in the BBL. The star spinner first signed up for the BBL in 2017 when Adelaide Strikers secured his services for the 2017-18 season. In his maiden season, he was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament and played a key role in Strikers’ winning the competition. He has been plying his trade for the Adelaide-based outfit since then. A fan favorite, Rashid Khan also has a BBL hat trick.

He is expected to play for the Strikers once again. Meanwhile, Rashid Khan is unlikely to play the full competition because of his SA20 commitments where he leads MI Cape Town. As per reports, he is likely to play at least eight games in the upcoming BBL season.