Rashid Khan Set To Return To Sussex For 2021 T20 Blast

Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan will return to county cricket in 2021 after signing a contract to play for Sussex in the T20 Blast.

The world’s number one T20 bowler has already enjoyed two fantastic summers in Hove after joining the Sharks in 2018. He has taken 24 wickets in 18 innings for them, with an economy rate of 6.97, and helped them reach the knockout stage in both his previous stints. The leg-spinner was set to play for Sharks T20 skipper Luke Wright’s side again this year, but it was mutually agreed he would miss the 2020 Vitality Blast due to his overlapping commitments in the Caribbean Premier League and Indian Premier League.

“I am really happy to be heading back to Sussex for the 2021 Blast. Ever since my arrival on the South Coast in 2018, it has felt like a home away from home for me. I look forward to seeing everyone in 2021 and really hope we will be back playing in front of our loyal supporters soon,” said Rashid in an official statement.

Rashid Khan is now due to spend at least two months in England next summer after he was retained by Trent Rockets in the Hundred, which is set to start soon after the end of the Blast’s group stage. However, his exact availability is contingent on Afghanistan’s international commitments.

The lig spinner recently passed the impressive milestone of 300 T20 wickets at the age of just 22 and showed his world-class ability in this year’s IPL taking 20 wickets in 16 appearances for Sunrisers Hyderabad at a staggering economy rate of just 5.37 runs per over.

“To secure the services of Rashid next season is amazing. He would be on any team’s wish list around the world, so for Sussex to have him playing next year is awesome,” said Sussex T20 head coach, James Kirtley

“We endeavour to keep the worldwide profile high of our T20 team and Rashid is one of the best performing and well-known players in the game,” he added.