ECB give backing for Adil Rashid to miss England matches for Hajj pilgrimage

EXCLUSIVE: England's team management have supported Rashid's request; the leg-spinner asked Rob Key, who encouraged him to make the trip

Adil Rashid is set to miss some of England's white-ball series against India in order to undertake the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, The Cricketer understands.

The leg-spinner, a practising Muslim, would be absent conducting the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. It runs from July 7 to July 12, which could rule him out of the first three T20Is and even the first ODI.

The England team management and selectors will hold selection meetings next week after the conclusion of the Headingley Test, and are expected to announce that Rashid will miss some games. The ECB have supported the request; Rashid asked Rob Key, who encouraged him to make the trip.

 He played all three ODIs of the recently concluded Super League series in the Netherlands.

^{Rashid was ever-present in England's series win over the Netherlands (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)}

His absence could open up a spot for fellow leg-spinner Matt Parkinson. England used Rashid and Liam Livingstone – who bowls offies and leggies depending on the situation – in the Netherlands, with Moeen Ali on hand to bowl off-spin if left-handers come in.

All Muslims are expected to perform Hajj once in their life.

Rashid is not the only international cricketer undertaking this year’s Hajj: Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur Rahim has missed his team's tour of the West Indies for the pilgrimage.

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