Former Test quick pulls out of the tournament to manage his body, while three internationals are set to cut short their time with their clubs
Pattinson, international stars depart BBL early
The Melbourne Renegades will be without experienced duo James Pattinson and Mohammad Nabi for the rest of KFC BBL|11, while international stars Rashid Khan and Shadab Khan are also set to leave the tournament early.
The Renegades have confirmed that Pattinson has withdrawn from the squad to manage his body, having battled numerous injuries throughout his career and retired from Test cricket last year to focus on playing for Victoria.
Nabi, meanwhile, has returned home for family reasons, with the Afghanistan T20 captain also likely to be required for an ODI series against the Netherlands in Qatar, which will also see Adelaide Strikers superstar Rashid Khan depart early.
The first game of that series is scheduled for January 21, but the ever-changing nature of the BBL and lockdown implications in the Netherlands mean the leg-spinner is unsure how long he has left for the Strikers.
"I'm not sure about how many games I will play but probably two more games and then I go back for the national duties," Rashid told Fox Cricket ahead of the Strikers' clash with the Stars.
"That is still not confirmed because of the COVID situation at the moment in Holland, it's locked down.
"If the team leave from Holland and they can reach Qatar on time then we will be able to continue but I think at the moment they're still not sure.
"If that series gets cancelled, I can stay to the end (of the BBL)."
Shadab, who plays for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League, came to the BBL knowing his stay with the Sydney Sixers would only be a short one given the PSL begins on January 28.
The 23-year-old has played just two matches this season due to fixture changes and a washout, so will be looking to improve on his solitary wicket for the campaign so far in his final match, against the Renegades on Tuesday night.
It is another blow for the Sixers' spin bowling stocks following Ben Manenti being ruled out for the season early on with a neck injury, and veteran Steve O'Keefe suffering a finger injury only days after returning from his earlier time on the sidelines with a calf strain.
It means young duo Lloyd Pope and Todd Murphy, the latter of which got the nod to partner Shadab in the Sixers' most recent game, will be forced to shoulder the spin bowling load for perhaps the remainder of BBL|11.
The news comes as BBL clubs transitioned into a Victorian hub, with seven of 11 matches across the next week to be played in the state.
Pattinson is set to use the extra mid-season break to get his body right to help Victoria push for a 33rd Sheffield Shield title towards the end of the summer.
Victoria sit fourth on the Shield table with 17.66 points from just three matches, less than five points behind ladder leaders Western Australia, who have played five games.
After a dismal start to BBL|11 where they only won one of their first six games, the Renegades have climbed to sixth on the table after consecutive wins over the Stars and Heat.
Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce has been included in the Renegades squad to face the Sixers and is in the frame to play his first game since BBL|09 after recovering from a calf injury sustained on the eve of this season and following health issues that sidelined him during last season.
- with Jack Paynter