Rashid Khan: Sussex re-sign legspinner for T20 Blast in 2021

Rashid Khan will return to county cricket in 2021 after signing a contract to play for Sussex in the T20 Blast.

Khan, who took 20 wickets for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL at an economy rate of just 5.37, has had two previous stints at Sussex after initially joining the club in 2018. He has taken 24 wickets in 18 innings for them, with an economy rate of 6.97, and helped them reach the knockout stage in both his previous stints.

He had also been due to join the club in 2020, but was unable to do so due to his commitments in the Caribbean Premier League and the IPL. Khan is now due to spend at least two months in England next summer, after he was retained by Trent Rockets in the Hundred, which is set to start soon after the end of the Blast's group stage. His exact availability is contingent on Afghanistan's international commitments.

Khan will be working under a new coach at Sussex following Jason Gillespie's departure from the club at the end of last season. James Kirtley, who was appointed as Sussex's specialist T20 coach last week, said that Khan was an "amazing" signing for them.

"He would be on any team's wish list around the world, so for Sussex to have him playing next year is awesome," Kirtley said. "We endeavour to keep the worldwide profile high of our T20 team and Rash is one of the best performing and [most] well-known players in the game.

"Add to that the fact that he is a hugely popular and respected figure in our dressing room and with everyone around the club and this is a big boost for us ahead of next year's Blast."

"I am really happy to be heading back to Sussex for the 2021 Blast," Khan said. "Ever since my arrival on the South Coast in 2018, it has felt like a home away from home for me. I look forward to seeing everyone in 2021 and really hope we will be back playing in front of our loyal supporters soon."