Surrey county club on Friday (May 1) mutually agreed to cancel the contracts of the team's overseas recruits Shadab Khan, D'Arcy Short for the coming summer amid the game's suspension due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision follows England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) announcement that no professional cricket will be played in the UK till at least July 1.
Both Shadab and D'Arcy were signed up for the T20 Blast tournament, played by all 18 counties in the domestic circuit. But with the annual event not being able to start on time and under great uncertainty at this stage, Surrey and the two players arrived at the best possible option available to them, especially as the club struggles financially because of the shutdown.
"I would like to thank both Shadab & D’Arcy and their management companies for their understanding of the current situation and the impact these testing times are having on our game," said Surrey's Director of Cricket, Alec Stewart, in a media release.
“While we continue to prepare for cricket at The Kia Oval this summer, uncertainties around restrictions and scheduling across the world and here in the UK means this is the most sensible decision for both the players and the Club for now," added the former England wicketkeeper batsman.
