Local favourite Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan legspinner, will return to the Adelaide Strikers for the BBL

Khan has taken 56 wickets in 40 matches and contributed 253 runs at a strike-rate of 161.14 while becoming one of the iconic players in the tournament.

There had been suggested he could be lured away from the Strikers but he will remain for at least another season.

"I'm so happy that I am able to play for the Strikers again in a big tenth season of the Big Bash, and I have loved this competition from the very beginning," Rashid said. The Strikers have been like a family to me since I joined them, and I am so thankful to the fans who have been supporting me and made me feel like Adelaide is my home."

Confirmation of Khan's return follows that of team-mate Mohammad Nabi who will again play for the Melbourne Renegades.

Teams will be allowed to field up to three overseas players in their XIs for the next two seasons after the increase from two was approved earlier this week.

The tournament is expected to start in the second week of December although the exact structure and schedule remains to be confirmed amid the reworking of the season.