Rashid Khan ends Big Bash League boycott threat, nominates for draft

Cricket Australia got a significant boost as Rashid Khan, the No.1 T20I bowler, decided to retract his threat of boycotting the Big Bash League (BBL).

Rashid informed the BBL officials about his intention to participate in the seventh edition of the tournament, according to cricket.com.au. This comes off the back of the controversy in January 2023, when he threatened to boycott BBL, protesting Australia’s decision to withdraw from a white-ball series against Afghanistan due to human rights issues.

Rashid took exception to Cricket Australia cancelling the series primarily due to the Taliban’s decision to ban university education for girls in Afghanistan. He expressed his disappointment and discomfort over Australia’s move, even suggesting that he might pull out of BBL to avoid causing discomfort to others.

Since he broke into the cricket scene at the age of 19, Rashid has had a commendable run with the Adelaide Strikers each season. He has been a prodigious wicket-taker and was the runner-up pick in the BBL draft last year. The Strikers used their retention rights to keep him, thwarting an attempted poach by the Melbourne Stars.

With the Strikers having the second pick in the upcoming BBL draft on September 3, it is anticipated that they will again select Rashid. He is expected to be available until his departure for a T20 league in South Africa.

In the South Africa league, Rashid plays for the Mumbai Indians-owned Cape Town franchise. The league commences on January 10, and if retained by the Strikers, Rashid could participate in up to eight games.

Cricket Australia, earlier in January, stated that despite skipping matches against Afghanistan, they welcome Rashid and other Afghan players in the BBL. Following suit, other Afghan players like Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed, and Izharulhaq Naveed have also nominated for the draft after having played in Australia the previous summer.