MLC 2025: Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai to Miss Tournament Amid Travel Ban Challenges

Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, set to kick off this Friday, has been dealt a significant blow with the absence of two key Afghanistan allrounders, Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai. According to ESPNcricinfo, both players have opted to take breaks, leaving MI New York, their MLC team, without two of its star performers.

Rashid, MI New York’s standout bowler in the 2024 season, claimed 10 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.15, despite the team finishing fourth with only two wins in seven matches. His absence will be keenly felt, especially after a challenging IPL 2025 campaign with Gujarat Titans, where he managed just nine wickets at an economy of 9.34 and an average of 57.11. Batters dominated him, hitting a record 33 sixes; the most by any bowler in a single IPL season. This was the first time since his IPL debut in 2017 that Rashid failed to reach double-digit wickets.

Similarly, Omarzai, who last played for Punjab Kings (runners-up in IPL 2025), will also sit out the tournament. His absence further weakens MI New York’s prospects, as the team relied on his all-round abilities to bolster their lineup.

Afghan Players Navigate US Travel Ban

Adding to the challenges, a US travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, came into effect this week. The listed countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. This raised doubts about the participation of Afghan players in MLC 2025.

However, there’s some positive news for MLC fans. Naveen-ul-Haq (MI New York), Noor Ahmed (Texas Super Kings), and Waqar Salamkheil (Seattle Orcas) have successfully joined their respective teams, overcoming initial concerns about their travel. Meanwhile, two other Afghan players, Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi, both representing Seattle Orcas, are still awaiting visas to participate in the tournament.

What’s Next for MLC 2025?

The absence of Rashid and Omarzai is a setback for MI New York, but the arrival of Naveen-ul-Haq provides some hope. Teams like Texas Super Kings and Seattle Orcas will also benefit from the presence of Noor Ahmed and Waqar Salamkheil, respectively, as they aim to compete in what promises to be an exciting MLC season.

As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on whether Naib and Farooqi secure their visas in time to join the Seattle Orcas. With MLC 2025 just days away, the league is gearing up for a thrilling start, even as it navigates these challenges.

Stay tuned for more updates on MLC 2025 as the action unfolds!

                                               

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