(Cricket News) In addition to missing Afghanistan’s most recent T20I series in the UAE and the Big Bash League (BBL), MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan has been ruled out of the upcoming SA20 season as he continues to recuperate from a back surgery.
The ace leg spinner was named in the Afghanistan squad on January 6 for the three-match T20I series in India, but it is unlikely that he will play, according to a statement from his cricket board (ACB).
In Rashid’s injury-plagued absence, Kieron Pollard will captain MI Cape Town and play in the SA20. Pollard was also signed by MI Emirates to play in the ILT20 in 2024, but Nicholas Pooran will take over as MI Emirates captain because of the dates conflicting with the SA20. It is unclear if Pollard will play for MI Emirates in the UAE for the final leg of the ILT20.
Pollard was last seen playing for the New York Strikers in the Abu Dhabi T10 league, where his team lost to Deccan Gladiators in the final. Pooran, Pollard’s CPL teammate at Trinbago Knight Riders, had declined his West Indies central contract in December 2023 to become a free agent.
Pooran was revealed as Durban’s Super Giants’ wildcard pick in September 2023, and he is probably going to play three games in the SA20 before joining MI Emirates for the second season of the ILT20.
Meanwhile, MI Cape Town announced the signing of Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, who will replace Jofra Archer in the future season. The SA20 and ILT20 are scheduled to take place from January 10 to February 10 and January 19 to February 17, respectively.
The two leagues will also face off against the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Super Smash in New Zealand.
