Sussex Sharks Avail Rashid Khan for 2019 Vitality T20 Blast

Afghanistan leg-spinner, Rashid Khan, has re-joined Sussex Sharks and will be back for them in the 2019 Vitality T20 Blast competition in the United Kingdom (UK).

Ace spinner Rashid will be part of the squad for the first half of the 2019 Vitality Blast group stage competition. If he gets international clearance, the sensational wrist spinner will play for the Sharks till the start of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Rashid had earlier signed an initial deal with Sussex for the first half of this year’s group stage matches. He went onto extend his tenure to make sure that he played in one of the Sussex’s qualifiers.

Quality white-ball bowler Rashid played eleven matches for the county side and returned with 17 wickets at a breathtaking average of 14.35. He also finished with an economy rate of 6.59 which ensured Sussex to reach their first quarter-final in the competition since 2015. They won the match against Durham earlier this month (August) and managed to qualify for the final.

However, Rashid won’t be available for the final slated to be played on 15^th September.

In a video message to the Sussex fans, Rashid expressed joy while being back for Sussex’s next season.

Rashid Khan expresses delight to be back with Sussex

“I’m so happy and pleased to be back with Sussex in the 2019 T20 Blast. I had the best time this year; my teammates, the coaching staff and the management staff, were amazing,” Rashid maintained.

 

“Really enjoyed my stay and can’t wait to come again and play for Sussex next year. I was really pleased to see the team qualify for the quarter-finals and then to the Finals Day. I wish them the very best of luck; Hope they do well and win the title for Sussex. Come on Sharks!” he added.

Meanwhile, Sussex head coach Jason Gillespie was also delighted after resigning the No. 1 spinner in international T20 cricket.

“I’m absolutely delighted. I can’t speak highly enough of the young man, his performances and how he fitted into our dressing room. He was brilliant for Sussex. I’m jumping for joy at the prospect of having Rashid back for us next year,” Gillespie said.

Rashid has been a sensational spinner for Afghanistan and all the teams he has played for. He announced his arrival to Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket with a brilliant performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2017.

Also, it would be interesting to see how Rashid Khan would use his experience for Sussex Sharks in the next season.