Rashid Khan has chosen IPL 2024 over PSL 2024, dealing Lahore Qalandars a big blow. While he has cited back injury as the official reason, the Afghan superstar spinner will take a break to recover completely before joining Gujarat Titans in Indian Premier League. PSL starts on
“It is upsetting that we have been deprived of Rashid Khan. He is a big name and a match-winner. No one can replace Rashid completely. Efforts will be made to include a good player in the squad in place of Rashid,” Lahore Qalandars’ Chief Executive, Atif Rana, was quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
Rashid Khan missed all three matches in IND vs AFG T20I series. He travelled with the team, giving valuable insights to his teammates. But he could not take the field.
The leg-spinner underwent lower back surgery in November after the World Cup and missed out on the BBL and SA20 2024. The IND vs AFG series was supposed to mark his return. But he has to wait.
Rashid Khan to return in IPL 2024?
Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott also warned against rushing Rashid’s return.
“It is a case of us making sure that we are really careful with his back. He is such an influential player, we have to make sure he is 100% ready and not rush him back from that type of surgery. It is important to give him the right time and he is working extremely hard and he is here with the team,” Jonathan Trott said during the IND vs AFG T20 series.
Afghanistan will tour Sri Lanka for one-off Test, three ODIs and four T20Is apart from Ireland in February. It’s still unclear whether Rashid Khan will return to the field in Sri Lanka or against Ireland. If he doesn’t, IPL 2024 is likely to mark his return ahead of T20 World Cup 2024.
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