PSL 2022 | Is Rashid Khan going to play in the final?

The Pakistan Super League is all set for its final clash on Sunday, 27 February with Lahore Qalandars and Multans Sultans set to take stage for one last time this season.

A repeat of the Qualifier, Lahore Qalandars will get one last chance to defeat ‘team of the tournament’ Multan in front of their home crowd at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The task would not be easy though, as Lahore have looked significantly weaker while bowling in the middle overs due to the absence of Rashid Khan. The best T20 bowler in the world had left the PSL owing to his national duties against Bangladesh and is currently playing in the ODI series.

Reports in the Pakistan media were flying off stating that Qalandars were looking to fly out Rashid for the final game and would send him back to Bangladesh the very next day. This fell in line with Rashid Khan’s requirements too as Afghanistan have already lost the ODI series having been drubbed twice in two game, and their T20I series begins on 3 March - ample time for Rashid to test negative over Rapid Antigen testing and play in the game.

It was understandable from Qalandars' point of view that they would be desperate to get Rashid back considering how Islamabad United were able to slot in their star opening duo of Alex Hales and Paul Stirling for the 2nd Eliminator in the playoffs stage. The new PSL rules allow for teams to bring in players in case they return Covid-19 negative over RAT, but they are kept 2-metres away from the rest of the teammates. The pooled in players also use a separate dressing room and are brought in by a separate car to the stadium. 

However, the move did not help and United lost the game by six runs in a nail-biting finish against the home side.

Khan, however, in his recent Twitter post has quashed all rumours and confirmed that he will be staying with the national team for the Bangladesh series as national duty comes first.