Follow UsAdil Rashid, a vital component of England’s white-ball plans will miss the latter stages of Yorkshire’s T20 Blast Campaign and the India series, in order to make the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The leg-spinner, according to reports, decided to take time off from the sport to make the trip earlier this year.
While the leg-spinner is set to return just ahead of the Three Lions’ series against South Africa, it is yet unclear whether the 34-year-old would be available for the tour. Rashid confirmed his decision earlier in the day, to ESPNCricinfo, after one of England’s net sessions in Amstelveen.
"I've been wanting to do it for a little while but I've found it pretty difficult with the timings," Rashid told ESPNcricinfo.
"I spoke to the ECB and to Yorkshire about it and they were very understanding and encouraging, like: 'yep, you do what you've got to do and then come back when you can'. Me and the missus are going and I'll be there for a couple of weeks,” the leg-spinner added.
"It wasn't like, right, I'm playing against India - I'd better not go. That didn't really cross my mind. It was purely: right, I'm going - the decision was irrelevant of cricket, in that sense.”
The leg-spinner also credited both Yorkshire and ECB for supporting his decision in a short notice.
"All I had to do was speak to Yorkshire and England and get their go-ahead. That was very easy and they were very understanding. To have that backing from your county and from your country, it feels like a big boost."
"We're all from different backgrounds and different countries - it's a very diverse team - but everyone gets along and respects each other massively. That's a big credit to Morgs for making that environment, and to the hierarchy,” he concluded.