BBL 2023–24: Rehan Ahmed withdraws, while Afghanistan’s Izharulhaq Naveed joins the Sydney Sixers

Izharulhaq Naveed of Afghanistan has returned to the Sydney Sixers for the BBL season, taking Rehan Ahmed of England’s place after the latter withdrew due to his selection for the West Indies tour. Last year, Naveed made an unexpected but significant debut, taking nine wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 7.37. His outstanding play made him the Sixers’ first choice when they were looking for a replacement, demonstrating his value to the group.

Rehan Ahmed is not the only player quitting the BBL; Harry Brook and Zak Crawley have both withdrawn.

Crawley was picked for the West Indies ODI leg; thus, his arrival for the Perth Scorchers campaign has been delayed. Additionally, during the Australia T20I squad’s stay in India, Davies is involved as a net bowler despite not being a part of the official trip, with the goal of gaining experience and growth.

“Rehan Ahmed won’t be playing for us this season, but we still wish him well and welcome Naveed back to the team. Naveed is a talented player that we are lucky to have returned, and we are confident that he will mesh well with our team. ESPNCricinfo quotes Sixers coach Greg Shipperd as saying, “Our spinning group is building nicely with SOK [O’Keefe], Todd, and young Joel Davies, whose left arm offies complement his strong batting and fielding.”

The Sixers express their gratitude to Nathan Lyon.

The Sixers notably said goodbye to Nathan Lyon, who joined the Melbourne Renegades and will play his old team in the opening game at the SCG before going on tour with the Test team. But the squad hopes to have Steven Smith back for the match and hopes he’ll play in the much-awaited derby on January 12 against the Sydney Thunder.

Murphy, in the meantime, has been picked for the Prime Minister’s XI against Pakistan, so he will miss the first game. Englishman David Payne, who was formerly with the championship-winning Perth Scorchers last season, has signed a three-game contract with the Melbourne Stars to replace Rashid Khan in the BBL. All-arounder Liam Dawson has also signed a contract with the Melbourne Stars.