AB De Villiers will miss out from BBL 2020-21 for Brisbane Heat as he and his wife are expecting their third child. The superstar cricketer has also said that travel uncertainties due to the prevalence of COVID-19 has also forced him to rethink on participation. He is currently in the UAE playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. He scored 146 runs at an average of 24.33, in his first season with the Brisbane Heat.

Heat coach Darren Lehmann explained the reason behind, De Villiers pulling out from this season.

“While things initially looked fine for him to come back, there have been a few factors emerging which have changed everyone’s plans. The main one, aside from the challenges represented by Covid-19 and international travel, is that AB and his wife Danielle are expecting their third child very soon” coach Darren Lehmann said.

AB De Villiers to Miss BBL 2020-21

Meanwhile, De Villiers spoke about the feeling of becoming a father for the third time. “It’s exciting for Danielle and me with the arrival of our new baby very soon. So with a young, growing family, and the uncertainty around travel and conditions due to Covid-19, we reluctantly decided it wasn’t going to be this season” De Villiers said.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman has signed for another season with the club. He took six wickets for the Heat last season. However, was in good wicket-taking form in the CPL 2020 for Jamaica Tallawahs. He took 16 wickets in the season for the Tallahwahs. He has just played two matches for the side taking just a solitary wicket.

“We’re very pleased to have him back with us and with the BBL schedule potentially looking quite different to the usual format, his versatility and ability to create chances in a range of conditions will be very important for us” said his coach Darren Lehmann.