Rashid Khan set to opt out of the Big Bash League (BBL) for the second season running - Reports

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan has not put his name in the draft ahead of the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) season, making it the second consecutive season he is set to miss. The leg-spinner has been a household name in the competition over the years, representing the Adelaide Strikers.

The draft for the upcoming season is set to take place on September 1, and while it features exciting new names like Shamar Joseph and Lockie Ferguson, Rashid's absence is glaring.

According to a report by AAP, the Adelaide Strikers were notified of Rashid Khan's decision to skip the tournament by his management. The franchise does not hold a grudge and are willing to welcome the player in the next edition with open arms.

Rashid Khan had opted out of the previous BBL season after undergoing back surgery right after the 2023 ODI World Cup in India at the back end of the year.

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Rashid Khan had threatened to boycott the BBL in the past after CA refused to play a bilateral series against Afghanistan

The ace leg-spinner was left frustrated over Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to not play a bilateral series against Afghanistan, due to the Taliban's stance regarding women's rights.

CA is positive Rashid Khan's decision of not putting his name in the draft is not influenced by the friction between the national teams. They feel that the player's schedule is the culprit in question here.

Rashid recently featured in The Hundred for the Trent Rockets before sustaining an injury while fielding. He is slated to play a series against Zimbabwe in December while he will represent the MI New York in the third edition of the SA20.

The BBL's second half always faces a clash with the South African league, and there are concrete efforts to wrap up the franchise tournaments as early as possible because of the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled in February.

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