Gun spinner named in squad for BBL match against Melbourne Renegades after death of his father
Rashid to line up for Strikers in Geelong
Star legspinner Rashid Khan will continue to work his KFC BBL magic for Adelaide Strikers as he mourns the death of his father.
Rashid is among the 13-man Strikers squad which has flown to Melbourne ahead of Thursday night's game against Melbourne Renegades in Geelong.
The Afghan sensation snared 2-34 in the Strikers' victory over Sydney Thunder on New Year's Eve after his father died the previous day.
Strikers batsman Colin Ingram says 20-year-old Rashid's visible emotion during the match had left his teammates devastated.
"No one can really understand until they've been through something like that how tough it is," Ingram told reporters.
"I've been really proud of the boys, the way they've got around him. I think in most games he just looks after us and puts in massive performances week-in, week-out.
"For us to be able to hopefully do something for him and put an arm around him and look after him, keep him on the field and keep him distracted ... we're really appreciative and it's great for us as a team to have our magical mystery bowler with us."
Rashid's staggering numbers - including a T20-record 96 wickets last year - reinforce his importance to the Strikers' title defence.
Ingram was unsure whether Rashid would be available for the remainder of the Strikers' campaign but the initial signs appear to be positive.
"We don't know at this moment exactly how it's going to play out," Ingram said.
"He's been quite adamant that he wants to carry on playing.
"I know he's had good chats with his family ... I think we'll just take it game by game and obviously support him in whatever his decision is."
The Strikers have made one change to their squad, adding Wes Agar in place of Peter Siddle after the veteran seamer rejoined Australia's Test squad.
Joe Mennie has replaced Andrew Fekete for the Renegades.
Adelaide Strikers squad: Colin Ingram (c), Wes Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O’Connor, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells