The Hundred, England’s innovative 100-ball cricket competition, has suffered a setback as Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan international and a prominent T20 superstar, withdraws from the 2023 edition due to injury. Khan was set to play three matches for Trent Rockets but will now miss the tournament. His absence adds to the list of other big-name players who have pulled out, posing challenges to the event’s excitement and fan engagement.
Rashid Khan expressed his disappointment at withdrawing from The Hundred due to injury. As an integral part of the Trent Rockets team in the previous editions, he had hoped to contribute significantly to the squad’s success this year. The dynamic leg-spinner is known for his exceptional performances and was recently seen claiming impressive figures of 3 for 9 in the Major League Cricket final. However, his injury has forced him to withdraw from the tournament, leaving a void in the Rockets’ lineup.
Rashid said: “I’m really disappointed to have to withdraw from The Hundred through injury. It’s been great to play in the competition the first two years, Trent Rockets is a great team, and I hope to be back again next year.”
In Rashid’s absence, Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim will take his place until August 10. After that, New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi will join the squad as the planned replacement. The team will miss Rashid’s bowling prowess and his ability to turn matches in their favor with his spin magic.
The withdrawal of Rashid Khan is not the only setback The Hundred has faced regarding star players opting out. Cricket Australia’s decision not to allow Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell to participate for London Spirit and the absence of Ellyse Perry from Birmingham Phoenix and Alyssa Healy from Northern Superchargers due to injuries have further impacted the tournament. These players’ absences could affect their respective teams’ competitiveness and star power.
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The Hundred, scheduled from August 1 to 27, can run in a standalone window without any clashes with England’s men’s or women’s fixtures. However, several England men’s players will rest after the conclusion of the Ashes, and players like Lauren Bell and Sophia Dunkley will miss their teams’ initial two games to manage their workload during a busy cricketing year.
