Image Credit- Getty
Rashid Khan, an all-around player for Afghanistan,
will not play for the Adelaide Strikers in the 2018 Big Bash League (BBL) due
to a back ailment that will need surgery.
Rashid has “withdrawn from the upcoming KFC BBL
13 due to a back injury which requires a minor operation,” Strikers said
in a statement.
“Rashid is a beloved member of the Strikers and a
fan favourite who has been with us for seven years, so he will be extremely
missed this summer,” Strikers General Manager of cricket Tim Nielsen said.
“Rashid loves Adelaide and the Strikers, and we
know how much he loves playing in the BBL, and we support him as he has
treatment for this injury to ensure his long-term involvement in the
game.”
Prior to their most recent league match against South
Africa, Afghanistan was vying for a semi-final berth in the ODI World Cup,
where Rashid last competed for the country. With 11 wickets at the end of the
competition, he set a record for Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup.
Rashid’s replacement has not yet been revealed by the
Strikers, although Nielsen stated that staff and management will consider their
possibilities before making a choice. For next seasons, the team has stated
that they will uphold Rashid’s retention rights.
Rashid made his BBL debut in December 2017 and has
since taken 98 wickets at an average of 17.51 and an economy of 6.44 in 69
games.
Rashid became the second overseas player to pull out
of the upcoming BBL season, with Melbourne Stars’ English recruit Harry Brook
withdrawing to manage his workload earlier this month.