Franchise MI Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, New York’s star all-rounders, are expected to miss the next Major League Cricket (MLC 2025) season, which begins in the United States on June 12.
Afghanistan’s ace Rashid Khan has pulled out of the MLC 2025 to take a personal sabbatical from cricket.
The leg-spinner was MI New York’s most effective bowler in the 2023 season, taking 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.15. Despite his exploits, the club struggled overall, finishing fourth with only two wins in seven games.
Meanwhile, Rashid Khan’s recent performance in the IPL 2025 with the Gujarat Titans has been disappointing, with only nine wickets at an economy of 9.34 and an average of 57.11, making it his lowest IPL season. Notably, he let up 33 sixes, the most of any bowler in a single IPL season.
On the other side, Omarzai, who was slated to represent MI New York, will also miss the competition. Omarzai, like Rashid, was last seen in action at the IPL 2025, when he played for the runners-up Punjab Kings. The reason for his absence is likewise said to be a self-imposed hiatus from the game.
US government’s travel ban impacts Afghanistan.
Furthermore, the latest US government travel ban affects people of 12 nations, including Afghanistan. While the legislation makes exceptions for sportsmen competing in important international tournaments, its implementation has caused difficulties over visa permits for some Afghan cricketers.
Other Afghan players, such as Naveen-ul-Haq (MI New York), Noor Ahmad (Texas Super Kings), and Waqar Salamkheil (Seattle Orcas), have successfully joined their respective teams. Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi, both affiliated with Seattle Orcas, are still awaiting immigration approval.
Meanwhile, West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran has been named MI New York’s captain for MLC 2025, succeeding Kieron Pollard. Pooran recently declared his retirement from international cricket, with his focus solely on franchise-based events.
Pooran’s impact on MI New York has been significant. In the first MLC season, he guided the team to victory with a superb undefeated 137 off 55 balls in the final against the Seattle Orcas. He was also the tournament’s best run scorer, with 388 runs.
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