Rehan Ahmed withdraws from Big Bash stint with Sydney Sixers

The 19-year-old was picked up in September's draft and was expected to link up with the Sixers following England's white-ball tour of West Indies

Elizabeth Botcherby | 01/12/2023 at 09:19

England allrounder Rehan Ahmed has withdrawn from his contract with Sydney Sixers for the 2023/24 Big Bash.

The 19-year-old was picked up in September's draft alongside James Vince and Tom Curran and was expected to link up with the Sixers following England's white-ball tour of West Indies, which runs from December 3-21.

It would have been a debut campaign in the BBL for Ahmed, who has scored 257 runs and taken 42 wickets in 43 T20 appearances across his career to date.

rehan01122302

^{Harry Brook has also withdrawn from the Big Bash [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

rehan01122303

^{Ahmed has been replaced by Izharulhaq Naveed [Morgan Hancock/Getty Images]}

He is the second English player to withdraw from the tournament, with Harry Brook pulling out of his stint with Melbourne Stars to manage his workload.

In Ahmed's place, Sydney Sixers have signed Afghan spinner Izharulhaq Naveed. The 20-year-old made nine appearances for the Sixers in BBL12, taking nine wickets.

Head coach, Greg Shipperd, said: "We are not going to get to see Rehan Ahmed this season but we wish him well.

"We are fortunate to have been able to bring back a player of Naveed's talent and we know he will fit in with our group."