Rashid Khan, one of Afghanistan’s most prominent cricketers, and Omarzai, the national team’s all rounder, will miss the 2025 edition of Major League Cricket (MLC), opting out of the tournament to take a break from professional play, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Rashid, who represents MI New York, was a key player for the franchise during last year’s MLC season, taking 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.15. Despite his efforts, the team finished fourth, winning just two of its seven matches.
The leg-spinner’s absence will be a significant setback for MI New York, especially after a difficult 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Playing for the Gujarat Titans, Rashid struggled with form, collecting only nine wickets across the campaign. It marked his lowest IPL return since debuting in 2017, with an economy of 9.34 runs per over and an average of 57.11. He also conceded 33 sixes, the most by any bowler in a single IPL season.
Adding to MI New York’s challenges, Azmatullah Omarzai, another Afghanistan allrounder, is also set to miss the upcoming MLC season. Omarzai, who featured for Punjab Kings in the IPL and helped the team finish as runner-up, is also understood to be taking a break from competitive cricket.
Their absence comes amid broader uncertainty around the participation of Afghan players in U.S.-based cricket events due to a recent U.S. entry ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. The policy, which took effect this week, has raised questions about the eligibility of several international players.
Despite those concerns, Naveen-ul-Haq (MI New York), Noor Ahmad (Texas Super Kings), and Waqar Salamkheil (Seattle Orcas) have joined their respective teams and are expected to play. However, Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi, both signed to the Orcas, are reportedly still awaiting visas to travel to the United States.
The MLC season begins Friday, as the league continues its efforts to establish a foothold for professional cricket in the United States, even amid geopolitical and logistical headwinds.
