Champion Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has confirmed his unavailability for the upcoming final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars.
Khan, who represented Shaheen Afridi’s Lahore Qalandars in PSL 07, took to his official Twitter account to confirm his unavailability as he is on national duty.
The Afghani spinner also extended his good wishes to Shaheen and the entire management.
He wrote, "It would’ve been great to be part of @lahoreqalandars and play alongside lads in @thePSLt20 final.
I won’t be able to make it for the finals due to National Duty which is always a first priority. I wish my captain @iShaheenAfridi @sameenrana and team GOOD LUCK INSHALLAH ❤️ 🤲🏻"
Rashid is currently with the Afghanistan national team, which is locked in a six-match bilateral series against hosts Bangladesh.
Bangladesh have already clinched the ODI series and will look to seal a whitewash when they take on Afghanistan in the final match on Monday (28 February 2022), before the three-match T20I series beginning on Thursday (3 March 2022).
Lahore Qalandars will miss the services of Rashid, who was phenomenal for them this season.
In nine games, he claimed 13 wickets at an average of 17.31 and an economy of less than seven. The leg-spinner was given a guard of honour by his teammates following his final appearance in the league against Islamabad United.
The 23-year old hasn't had a good time in the ongoing ODI series though, managing just 2 wickets in as many games at 42 apiece. The superstar spinner will look to make amends as Afghanistan seek 10 crucial ODI Super League points.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, the Shaheen Afridi-led unit Qalandars will look to clinch the coveted PSL title at the expense of defending champions, Multan Sultans.
The Qalandars remain the only side to beat Mohammad Rizwan's Multan but they went down to the latter in the first Qualifier following a poor batting performance.
They did manage to qualify for the summit clash courtesy of a thrilling win over Islamabad United on Friday evening. The win was spearheaded by the all-round skills of David Wiese, who smashed an unbeaten 8-ball 28 besides defending 7 in the last over.
In the absence of Rashid, a lot will depend on Qalandars skipper Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Zaman Khan against a power-packed batting line-up like Multan Sultans.