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.

Major League Cricket (MLC) officials remain optimistic that Afghan players, including Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, will be able to fulfill their contracts for the 2025 season, despite the new US travel ban signed by President Donald Trump, set to take effect next week.

The proclamation restricts entry into the United States for nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. According to Trump, the ban aims to “protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.”

According to ESPNcricinfo, seven Afghan players are under contract for the 2025 MLC season: Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Naveen-ul-Haq (all with MI New York); Gulbadin Naib, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Waqar Salamkheil (Seattle Orcas); and Noor Ahmad (Texas Super Kings).

The ban, effective from June 9, includes an exemption for “any athlete or member of an athletic team… traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State.” The order also applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the US and without a valid visa at the time the ban takes effect.

ESPNcricinfo reports that some players have already entered the US with valid visas, while others have yet to apply or travel. A league official expressed hope that MLC will be classified as a ‘major sporting event’ by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which would help ensure Afghan players’ participation.

Officials from affected franchises are exploring all options, including flying players to the US before the ban starts. They are also consulting with MLC and relevant authorities for guidance.

An MLC spokesperson stated: “We’re continuing to monitor the situation and are working with the relevant authorities to minimize travel disruptions for overseas players ahead of the start of Major League Cricket next week. We continue to attract some of the best players from around the world to come over to the US to showcase their talent, along with the best cricketers from the USA, and we are set to have the most exciting tournament to date this summer.”

The ban explicitly mentions the Olympics—set for Los Angeles in 2028—as an exempt event, meaning Afghanistan would be eligible to compete in the men’s T20 cricket event there, if qualified.

MLC’s 2025 season kicks off on June 12 with a rematch of last year’s final between Washington Freedom and San Francisco at Oakland Coliseum.

Major League Cricket (MLC) hopes Afghanistan’s star players will participate in the third season of competition despite US President Donald Trump signing a travel ban on Afghanistan’s residents, which will come into effect from June 9, Monday.

Many Afghanistan players were signed by different franchises for MLC 2025, such as Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Naveen-ul-haq, Noor Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and many more.

Travel ban for Afghanistan players?

US President Donald Trump proclaimed that there will be full restrictions and limit the entry of 12 countries into the United States of America. There is only one country whose players play the game on a senior level, and that is Afghanistan.

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Trump wants to protect the national security and interests of the United States and its people, and to protect these things, the ban has been imposed by the President. Other than Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen are the 11 countries, whose people will not be able to enter the US after June 9.

The US President also stated that the proclamation shall apply only to foreign nationals of these 12 countries who are outside the US after June 5 (which is the date when the proclamation was declared by Trump) and didn’t have a valid visa on the effective date of the proclamation.

MLC might be classified as a ‘major sporting event’

The travel ban will be effective on June 9, but the ban also includes an exemption for any athlete or member of an athletic team travelling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event might get permission from the Secretary of the US.

A league official revealed that the franchises are hopeful that MLC will be classified as a ‘major sporting event’ by the Secretary of the United States, which would make it possible for Afghan players to participate in MLC 2025, reported ESPNcricinfo.

MLC spokesperson monitoring the participation of Afghan players

According to the ESPNcricinfo report, franchises are exploring all the possibilities to enable Afghanistan’s players to play in MLC 2025. The first thing they are thinking is to get the affected players in the US before the travel ban kicks in.

An MLC spokesperson stated that they’re monitoring the situation and are in state of talks with the authorities to allow the participation of restricted players ahead of the start of the tournament.

“We’re continuing to monitor the situation and are working with the relevant authorities to minimise travel disruptions for overseas players ahead of the start of Major League Cricket next week. We continue to attract some of the best players from around the world to come over to the US to showcase their talent, along with the best cricketers from the USA, and we are set to have the most exciting tournament to date this summer,” an MLC spokesperson stated.

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Top Performers of T20 Mumbai League 2025. [Source – T20Mumbai.com]

The T20 Mumbai League 2025 has delivered a thrilling season packed with intense cricketing actions, rising stars, and unforgettable moments. With the blockbuster final set to take place on Thursday, June 12, the eight-team tournament has already become a celebration of cricketing excellence in the city of dreams.

While several Mumbai cricket superstars featured in this tournament, it was the local talents who truly lit up the stage, making headlines with their game-changing performances. As the season nears its business end, here is a look at the top five standout performances that defined this edition of the T20 Mumbai League.

5. Siddharth Raut’s 4/14 vs North Mumbai Panthers

Siddharth Raut delivered a sensational spell for Sobo Mumbai Falcons against North Mumbai Panthers. The right-arm pacer ripped through the Panthers’ top order during the powerplay, claiming three early wickets, including the prized scalp of Prithvi Shaw.

He finished the game with an outstanding figures of 4 for 14 in his four overs, completely putting the break on Panthers’ momentum and helping the Falcons restrict them to a below-par 132 for 8 in the first twenty overs.

4. Suved Parker’s 76 off 37 vs MSC Maratha Royals

Suved Parker played one of the finest innings of the T20 Mumbai League 2025 in a must-win clash against the Maratha Royals at the DY Patil Stadium. With Namo Bandra Blasters needing a win to qualify for the knockouts, Parker stepped up and played a stunning knock at the top of the order.

Chasing 151, the right handed opener provided a fiery start and unleashed a six-hitting masterclass, scoring 76 off just 37 balls with 6 sixes and 6 boundaries. His batting brilliance helped the Blasters to chase down the total and get the much needed win in just 15.4 overs.

3. Ishan Mulchandani’s 61* off 25 vs North Mumbai Panthers

Ishan Mulchandani’s swashbuckling half-century against North Mumbai Panthers was one of the most electrifying performances of the 2025 season of the T20 Mumbai League that lit up the DY Patil Stadium on the very second day of the tournament.

Chasing a modest target of 133 for Sobo Mumbai Falcons, the dynamic opener put on a great display of power-hitting and elegant stroke play. He raced to his fifty in just 22 balls and remained unbeaten on 61 off 25 deliveries, steering his team to a commanding victory.

2. Rohan Raje’s 5/40 vs Eagle Thane Strikers

Rohan Raje’s stunning bowling performance in the semi-final undoubtedly features here as one of the best performances of the T20 Mumbai League 2025. Playing for Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals, the ace pacer dismantled the top-ranked Eagle Thane Strikers with a brilliant five-wicket haul.

Bowling first, Raje started the proceedings brilliantly as he removed both the openers early and later came back to dismiss three more, including star batter Sairaj Patil, to restrict the Strikers to 131/8, setting up a comfortable chase and sealing a place in the final.

1. Sairaj Patil’s 61 off 37 & 4/19 vs Sobo Mumbai Falcons

Sairaj Patil had a season of his life in the T20 Mumbai League 2025, as the star batter finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with over 200 runs at an average of 58.25. Among his many standout moments, his all-round brilliance against Sobo Mumbai Falcons was a performance to remember.

Patil, who first scored a classy 61 off 37 balls, anchoring the innings beautifully with the bat, turned the game with the ball as well, picking up 4 wickets, including the key scalp of the dangerous Shreyas Iyer. His remarkable all-round show helped Eagle Thane Strikers register a one-sided victory over the Falcons.

Open Extended Reactions

Major League Cricket (MLC) officials hope that Afghanistan players including Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad will be able to fulfil their contracts for the 2025 season after US president Donald Trump signed a travel ban which will come into effect next week.

Trump’s proclamation will “fully restrict and limit the entry” into the United States of nationals of 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. He said the ban is designed to “protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people”.

There are seven Afghanistan players under contract for MLC 2025: Rashid, Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq (all MI New York); Gulbadin Naib, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Waqar Salamkheil (all Seattle Orcas) and Noor (Texas Super Kings).

The ban, which is effective from 12.01am Eastern Time on Monday, June 9 includes an exemption for “any athlete or member of an athletic team… traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State”.

The order also states: “This proclamation shall apply only to foreign nationals of the designation countries who: (i) are outside the United States on the applicable effective date of this proclamation; and (ii) do not have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of this proclamation.”

ESPNcricinfo understands that some relevant players have already reached the United States after receiving visas, while others are yet to apply or travel. A league official told ESPNcricinfo they were hopeful that MLC will be classified as a ‘major sporting event’ by Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, which would ease any concerns about the participation of Afghan players.

An official at one affected franchise told ESPNcricinfo that they would explore all options, including the possibility of flying affected players into the United States before the ban kicks in. The official added that they will lean on MLC and other relevant authorities for guidance.

An MLC spokesperson said: “We’re continuing to monitor the situation and are working with the relevant authorities to minimize travel disruptions for overseas players ahead of the start of Major League Cricket next week. We continue to attract some of the best players from around the world to come over to the US to showcase their talent, along with the best cricketers from the USA, and we are set to have the most exciting tournament to date this summer.”

The order specifically mentions the Olympics, which will take place in Los Angeles in 2028, as an event for which athletes will be granted exemptions. Afghanistan should, therefore, be eligible to compete in the men’s T20 cricket event at the Games if they qualify.

MLC’s 2025 season starts on June 12, with a rematch of last year’s final between Washington Freedom and San Francisco at the Oakland Coliseum.

Additional reporting: Nagraj Gollapudi