- Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan ruled out of PSL 2024, leaving Lahore Qalandars without a star player.
- Lahore Qalandars’ CEO, Atif Rana, expresses regret and acknowledges the challenge of finding a complete replacement for Rashid Khan.
- PSL 2024, starting on Feb 17, sees Lahore Qalandars defending their championship title with the task of filling the void left by Rashid’s absence.
Lahore Qalandars, the defending champions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024, find themselves grappling with a significant setback as Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the upcoming tournament. The hard-hitting leg-spinner, known for his match-winning abilities, withdrew from the PSL due to his back injury, leaving the Qalandars in search of a worthy replacement.
Expressing his regret over Rashid’s absence, Qalandars’ Chief Executive, Atif Rana, conveyed his disappointment to the media. Rana acknowledged Rashid Khan’s stature as a big name and a game-changer, emphasizing the challenge of finding a suitable replacement.
“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,” said Rana.
Khan’s unavailability for the PSL 2024 comes after a string of setbacks that kept him away from cricket for an extended period. The spinner had withdrawn from the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 in November due to a back injury that necessitated a minor operation. Subsequently, he also missed the SA20 tournament. Although currently traveling with the team for the India vs. Afghanistan T20I series, Rashid Khan remains sidelined due to his incomplete recovery.
Who will replace Rashid Khan?
As Qalandars gear up to defend their championship, the PSL 2024 is set to kick off on February 17, with Qalandars facing Islamabad United in the opening match. The crucial task of finding a suitable replacement for Rashid Khan is yet to be accomplished, with the spinner having occupied a spot in the silver category. The Lahore-based franchise will undoubtedly face the challenge of filling the void left by the absence of their star player in this highly anticipated cricketing event.
Also, see:
Will David Warner play PSL 2024?
