Rashid created headlines in January when he threatened to quit the BBL over Australia’s decision to withdraw from a white-ball series against Afghanistan on human-rights grounds.
The world’s top-ranked T20 bowler was upset Cricket Australia had cancelled the series based on the Taliban’s ban on university education for girls in the country.
“If playing Afghanistan is so uncomfortable for Australia, then I wouldn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable with my presence in the BBL. Therefore, I will be strongly considering my future in that competition.”
The official list of players available for next Sunday’s overseas draft will not be released until Monday. But AAP has been told by league sources that the 24-year-old has nominated to feature in the tournament.
CA made it clear in January that they stood by their position on skipping Afghanistan matches, but Rashid and any other players from the nation were welcome in the BBL.
Fellow Afghan players Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmed and Izharulhaq Naveed have also now nominated for the draft after playing in Australia last summer.
The biggest of those stars, Rashid will be available to Strikers as a first-round retention pick for this summer, and would be expected to be kept by the franchise as their platinum selection.
It is likely Rashid would feature in at least the first seven games for the Strikers, before the South African T20 League begins on January 10 with the Afghan already signed on for.
Rashid first made his name in Australia as a 19-year-old when he was the leading wicket-taker in 2017-18, claiming 18 scalps to help spin the Strikers to their first title.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo