The defending champions of the Pakistan Super League, Lahore Qalandars, has been deprived of leg spinner Rashid Khan.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan has suffered a back injury, and has underwent a surgery. Rashid Khan has informed the management of Lahore Qalandars about his unavailability.
The Pakistan Super League event is scheduled to take place in Lahore from February 17, and Rashid’s absence is a significant setback for Lahore Qalandars. Lahore Qalandars team will now have to choose an alternative spinner in place of Rashid.
Lahore Qalandars’ Chief Executive, Atif Rana, while talking to media expressed regret over Rashid’s absence.
“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,” Rana said.
It is worth noting that earlier Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, also expressed the team’s cautious approach to managing Rashid’s injury.
Trott emphasized the importance of handling Rashid’s recovery with care, given his significant influence on the team.
“It is a case of us making sure that we are really careful with his back,” Trott said. “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,” Trott said.
It is worth noting that Rashid has been an integral part of Lahore Qalandars and has contributed significantly in making Qalandars two-time champions of PSL.
