PSL 2022: Rashid Khan unavailable for Lahore Qalandars in final due to national commitments

The Lahore Qalandars staged a remarkable comeback in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 Eliminator 2 as they held their nerves to register a six-run win against the Islamabad United to set up a final clash against the defending champions Multan Sultans. Lahore would be looking forward to ending the Sultans’ title reign.

As the Lahore Qalandars eye a maiden PSL crown, they hoped that one of their key players who had left the tournament midway will be back in their ranks for the all-important tournament decider. The player is star Afghanistan leg-spinner, Rashid Khan.

Lahore must have wanted the spin sensation to be a part of the final where his experience could have proved to be handy against the in-form title-holders Multan. However, he has now confirmed that he will not be taking part in the final on February 27.

National duty is always first priority: Rashid Khan

Rashid, who was an integral part of the Lahore-based franchise throughout the season, had left the tournament midway on February 20 to represent Afghanistan in the ongoing limited-overs series against Bangladesh. The leggie was exceptional with the ball in PSL, having registered 13 scalps from nine matches he played. In his absence, Fawad Ahmed was approved as a replacement by the PSL Technical Committee.

While the Qalandars were all set to welcome him back, the Afghan sensation took to his official Twitter handle and confirmed his unavailability for the summit clash as national duty is his first priority. Nonetheless, he wished skipper Shaheen Afridi and the team luck for the final.

It would’ve been great to be part of @lahoreqalandars and play alongside lads in @thePSLt20 final.
I won’t be able to make it for the finals due to National Duty which is always a first priority.I wish my captain @iShaheenAfridi @sameenrana and team GOOD LUCK INSHALLAH ❤️ 🤲🏻

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) February 26, 2022

Speaking of the Eliminator clash, chasing a tricky but manageable target of 169, Islamabad United were on their way to the PSL 2022 final with Alex Hales and wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan adding 79 runs for the fifth wicket. Both were dismissed and quick succession and when Azam was run out for a quickfire 40, middle-order sensation Asif Ali looked to bring the chase back on track but, ran out of partners at the other end.

Ali lost his wicket on the last ball of the penultimate over and David Wiese struck with a double-wicket having conceded no runs in the final over as United were skittled for 162 with two balls to spare.