“Will be strongly considering my future”: Rashid Khan ready to quit Big Bash League if Australia Afghanistan cricket doesn’t resume

The censure of CA (Cricket Australia) for withdrawing from a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in March has received a shot in the arm after Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has hinted at quitting the Big Bash League if his presence makes anyone in Australia “uncomfortable”.

Khan, 24, joined his teammates Naveen-ul-Haq and Rahmanullah Gurbaz with respect to taking to social media platform Twitter to express frustration regarding CA disagreeing to play a bilateral series against Afghanistan in the UAE.

Leading Afghan cricketers taking a stand against CA’s decision will undoubtedly fuel emotions before perhaps making the Australian cricketing body and government think about reconsidering their decision.

For the unversed, it is not for the first time that Australia have pulled back from facing Afghanistan. Before three ODIs, the same had happened with respect to a one-off Test match originally scheduled to be played in Hobart in November 2021.

A primary reason behind Australia not showing interest in facing Afghanistan is Taliban’s recent proclamation around banning university education for girls. With Taliban also putting curbs around the Afghanistan Women’s cricket team, CA has expressed displeasure at the denial of basic rights to women in the country.

“This decision follows the recent announcement by the Taliban of further restrictions on women’s and girls’ education and employment opportunities and their ability to access parks and gyms,” said a part of CA’s statement.

“CA is committed to supporting growing the game for women and men around the world, including in Afghanistan, and will continue to engage with the Afghanistan Cricket Board in anticipation of improved conditions for women and girls in the country.”

Rashid Khan ready to quit Big Bash League if Australia Afghanistan cricket doesn’t resume

Expressing disappointment in Australia’s decision and pride in playing for Afghanistan, Khan rightly spoke against mixing cricket and politics as players have neither done anything wrong nor have any say in Taliban’s decision-making. Citing the progress made by their men’s team in international cricket, Khan believed for Australia’s decision to inversely affect the same.

Rashid Khan BBL stats

An archetype T20 superstar, Khan is currently leading MI Cape Town in the inaugural SA20. It was only a week ago that Khan had represented Adelaide Strikers in BBL 2022-23. In eight BBL 12 matches, Khan’s six wickets came at an average of 30, an economy rate of 6.42 and a strike rate of 28.

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Overall, Khan’s association with Strikers and the BBL turned 5 last month. In his 69-match BBL career, the leg-spinner has dismissed 98 batters at an average of 17.51, an economy rate of 6.44 and a strike rate of 16.31.