Rashid and Omarzai set to miss MLC 2025

Afghanistan’s star all-rounder Rashid Khan has officially withdrawn from the upcoming season of Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025. Citing the need for rest, Rashid will not be featuring for MI New York this season. He was the franchise’s top bowler in the previous edition, claiming 10 wickets in seven matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.15. Despite his efforts, the team finished fourth on the points table with just two wins.

Rashid’s recent form in the IPL 2025 was underwhelming, raising concerns about his fitness and rhythm. Representing Gujarat Titans, he managed to take only nine wickets—his lowest tally in any IPL season—and conceded a record 33 sixes, the most by any bowler in a single IPL edition.

MI New York suffered another blow as fellow Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai also pulled out of the tournament, citing the same reason—rest. Omarzai was last seen playing for Punjab Kings in the IPL.

However, there is some relief for the franchises, as a few Afghan cricketers have already joined their respective teams. Naveen-ul-Haq (MI New York), Noor Ahmad (Texas Super Kings), and Waqar Salamkheil (Seattle Orcas) have all arrived in the United States. Their participation had been under question due to the newly imposed U.S. travel restrictions.

The United States recently implemented a travel ban targeting nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. This restriction cast doubt over the availability of Afghan players for MLC 2025.

Adding to the uncertainty, Afghan cricketers Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi—both signed by Seattle Orcas—are still awaiting visa approvals and are yet to travel.

The MLC 2025 season is set to kick off this Friday, but visa issues and player withdrawals have already posed significant challenges for teams and organizers alike.