Rashid Khan returns to Sussex Sharks

Sussex Cricket is thrilled to announce that Rashid Khan will return to The 1st Central County Ground for a third stint with the club next summer. The world’s No. 1 T20 bowler will join Sussex Sharks for the entire group stage of the 2020 Vitality Blast, subject to international clearance.

The leg-spinner expressed his own delight at the prospect of another summer on the South Coast: “I am really happy to be returning to Hove for next year’s Blast. Sussex is like a second home to me and I can’t wait to get back and see my teammates, the staff and all our fantastic supporters.”

Securing the services of one of the most sought-after players in world cricket, alongside those of the team’s other overseas player Travis Head and the rest of the star-studded squad, represents a major boost for the Sharks ahead of next year’s campaign.

Rashid was the first player picked in last month’s draft for The Hundred, was retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad on a million-dollar contract ahead of last year’s Indian Premier League and is a mainstay of Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Big Bash League.

Sussex Sharks head coach Jason Gillespie said: “It’s absolutely brilliant to have Rash back for a third stint. He’s a box office player that our supporters love and to have the captain of an international team as one of our overseas players is a great honour.

“Everyone knows about his fantastic skills on the field, but he brings so much more to our club behind the scenes. He’s a wonderful ambassador for Sussex, for Afghanistan and for the game in general.

“Rash’s schedule was already busy next summer, and it wasn’t guaranteed that he would be back with us, so we’re really excited and grateful that he’s made himself available again.

“Speaking to Rash, I know that a big part of that decision is based on the fact that he’s made some great friends at Sussex and that he receives such a warm welcome from everyone at the club – from the players and support staff, to the guys in the office and our superb supporters..

“Rash loves coming to Hove and we love having him, so it all works very well.”

Despite being only 21 years old and making his debut in the format in 2015, Rashid is already the 10th highest wicket-taker in T20 history with 272 wickets in 193 matches.

No one has taken more T20 wickets since the start of 2017 than Rashid’s 234 while the 96 wickets he took in 2018 is a record for a single calendar year.

In international T20 cricket, the Afghanistan captain has the format’s fourth equal lowest economy rate and is sixth on the all-time wicket-takers list with 84 dismissals in just 45 matches.

In his two previous spells with Sussex Sharks, Rashid has taken 24 wickets in 20 matches with an economy rate of 6.97.

Supporters will be able to see Rashid and his Sussex Sharks teammates in seven T20 matches at The 1st Central County Ground next summer. Full details of the side’s Vitality Blast fixtures are available at www.sussexcricket.co.uk/fixtures

Blast Pass season tickets are on sale from 10am on Monday 2nd December 2019 and offer fans a seat at all seven Sussex Sharks home T20 group matches in 2020 for one unbeatable price. Visit www.sussexcricket.co.uk for more information.

Remaining seats for individual fixtures will go on sale in the New Year, with details to follow via the Sussex Cricket website.