BBL rocked as Rashid Khan withdraws due to back injury

Brisbane Heat’s round 1 team has been ripped apart by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the same day the BBL lost its biggest drawcard to injury.

Robert Craddock and Tim Michell

2 min read

November 23, 2023 - 3:16PM

Rashid Khan is out of BBL13. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has left Big Bash officials fuming by helping to pluck a galaxy of stars out of the competition’s crucial opening rounds.

Six players - four from the Brisbane Heat and two from the Melbourne Stars - will withdraw from the opening Big Bash game on December 7 due to their selection in the Prime Minister’s XI to play Pakistan in Canberra from December 6-9.

The Heat are shattered to lose keeper Jimmy Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Nathan McSweeney and Michael Neser from their first two games while the Stars will lose Mark Steketee and Beau Webster from the season opener.

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Albanese, who chose the squad with the Australian selectors, said: “The Prime Minister’s XI has a rich history within Australian cricket ... George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and I have selected an experienced squad of players who are on the cusp of Test selection.’’

The opening Big Bash game is seen as one of the most important occasions of the domestic summer and a potential scene setter if things go well.

In a Test summer in which Australia will face modest drawing outfits from Pakistan and the West Indies, it was hoped the Big Bash could offer extra sparkle for fans.

Big Bash officials were told some time ago the Prime Minister’s team would essentially be a development side and there would be minimal disruption to the Big Bash but the national selections in combination with the Prime Minister decided to pick a team of potential Test candidates.

“To have six players pull out of the first game makes the Big Bash seem second rate,’’ said one official who did not want to be named.

News of the withdrawals came hours after the Big Bash League’s biggest star, Rashin Khan, pulled out of this summer’s tournament in a seismic blow for the competition.

Jimmy Peirson is one of four Heat players in the PM’s XI squad. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Rashid Khan has a back injury which requires surgery.

The Afghan leg-spinner was on the cusp of taking his 100th BBL wicket and had been set for his seventh tournament as a Striker.

“Rashid is a beloved member of the Strikers and a fan favourite who has been with us for seven years, so he will be extremely missed this summer,” Strikers cricket manager Tim Nielsen said.

“Rashid loves Adelaide and the Strikers, and we know how much he loves playing in the BBL, and we support him as he has treatment for this injury to ensure his long-term involvement in the game.

“Our list management and coaching staff will now look at our options for replacing Rashid for the upcoming season and a replacement player will be announced in due course.”

Rashid was the No.1 draft pick in this year’s BBL draft when the Strikers used their retention pick to match a bid from the Melbourne Stars.

The Stars instead took English Ashes hero Harry Brook, who also withdrew less than a week ago, with their first pick.