Afghanistan star man Rashid Khan will miss the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season as the Adelaide Strikers suffered a major blow before the start of the campaign. Rashid, who helped Afghanistan finish sixth in the ODI World Cup was crucial to the team’s success but has been troubled with back injuries that will see him spend time on the treatment table. Adelaide Strikers are yet to announce a replacement for the star spinner and will look for options before making their move.

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Rashid to miss BBL season

“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,” Adelaide Strikers general manager Tim Nielson said in a statement.

“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.”

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Rashid will have surgery on his back in the coming days and will spend time on rehabilitation which could impact his stay with the national side. In all likelihood, Rashid will miss the three-match T20I series against India, which will start on January 11.

The 25-year-old played a vital role in the ODI World Cup as he helped Afghanistan clinch a place in the 2025 Champions Trophy with a sixth-place finish. His impressive stint saw his national side finish above defending champions England and punch their ticket to the Champions Trophy for the first time. During the ODI World Cup, Afghanistan beat the likes of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and England with some dazzling displays.

On Tuesday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the schedule for a three-match T20I series against India in January. However, they are now unlikely to field the star man who has been a success story in recent years. The injury could also see Rashid miss out on the SA20 second season where he will be representing MI Cape Town. However, with an eye on the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Rashid will look to get back on the field.

Adelaide Strikers will now be on the hunt for a replacement as they look to start the season on a high. The Strikers will face Brisbane Heat in their opening campaign as the new season will see the return of the home-away format in the BBL. The Strikers had a poor last season where they finished seventh and will look to bounce back from the disappointing season. They last won the BBL in 2017-18 season when they beat Hobart Hurricanes in the final by 25 runs.

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