Cricket Australia has been given a big boost rashid khan relented on his threat to boycott the BBL and told officials that he intended to play in the tournament this summer.
Rashid hit headlines in January when he threatened to quit the BBL over Australia’s decision to pull out of the white-ball series against Afghanistan on human rights grounds.
The world’s top-ranked T20 bowler was furious after Cricket Australia canceled the series on the grounds of Taliban ban on university education for girls in the country.
“I’m really disappointed to hear that Australia have pulled out of the series to play us in March.” Rasheed said in a statement at the time,
“If playing Afghanistan is so inconvenient for Australia, I would not wish to inconvenience anyone with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will strongly consider my future in that competition.”
The official list of players available for next Sunday’s overseas draft will not be released until Monday. But league sources have told AAP that the 24-year-old has enrolled to take part in the tournament.
CA made it clear in January that they stick to their stand of not participating in Afghanistan matches, but Rashid and any other player from the country are welcome in the BBL.
Fellow Afghan players Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed and Izharulhaq Naveed have also enrolled for the draft after playing in Australia last summer.
Rashid, the biggest of those stars, will be available to the Strikers this summer as a first-round retention pick, and will be expected to keep the franchise as a platinum selection.
Rashid is likely to feature in at least the first seven games for the Strikers before the South African T20 League begins on January 10, with the Afghan already signed.
Rashid first made a name for himself in Australia at the age of 19 when he was the leading wicket-taker in 2017-18, claiming 18 scalps to help the Strikers to their maiden title.
Popular around the world, Rashid is easily the biggest selling overseas star of the Big Bash League. His 98 wickets is the most by any foreign playerWhile his average of 17.51 and economy rate of 6.44 is also the best of any bowler with more than 30 wickets.
Elsewhere, officials have confirmed the attractive ILT20 will start from January 19 next yearThis allowed most of the overseas stars of the BBL to watch most of the Australian regular season.
David Warner is among those who have signed up for the competitionHowever, he will be able to play only if cleared by CA and in matches that do not clash with BBL or national commitments.