Rashid Khan is a name that has become synonymous with world class spin bowling in the modern era of cricket. The Afghan cricketer has rapidly risen through the ranks to establish himself as one of the deadliest bowlers in today’s game.
Born in Nangarhar, Afghanistan on September 20, 1998, Rashid Khan’s rise to fame has been nothing short of extraordinary.
He grew up in a country that was in turmoil due to war and conflict, but found his solace in cricket. His talent was first noticed by former Afghanistan captain and coach Taj Malik, who invited him to train with the Afghanistan under-19 team.
Rashid made his debut for the Afghanistan national cricket team in October 2015 at the age of just 17.
He made an immediate impact, taking 3 wickets in his very first match against Zimbabwe. He soon became a regular in the team and played a key role in Afghanistan’s qualification for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Rashid is a right-arm leg-spinner, known for his impeccable control, variations and accuracy. He has the ability to bowl the googly, leg-break and slider with ease, making it difficult for batsmen to pick his deliveries.
His unorthodox bowling action and his ability to deceive the batsmen with his variations make him a difficult bowler to face.
Rashid has been an important part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2017. He has been consistent in the IPL, taking wickets and maintaining a low economy rate.
He was the highest wicket-taker for his team in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, helping them reach the finals on both the occasions.
Rashid’s performance in the T20 format has been nothing short of sensational. He has taken over 350 wickets in his T20 career at an average of just 17.17 and an economy rate of 6.24.
He is the only player in T20 history to take four wickets in four consecutive balls, a feat he achieved while playing for Sussex against Gloucestershire in 2017.
Apart from his bowling, Rashid is also a useful batsman and a brilliant fielder. He has the ability to score quick runs in the lower order and can also hold his own with the bat when required. He is an agile fielder who has taken some astonishing catches and runouts in his career.
Rashid’s rise to fame is nothing less than a fairy tale. From playing cricket on the streets of Nangarhar to becoming one of the best spinners in the world, he has come a long way. His success has inspired a generation of young cricketers in Afghanistan and put Afghanistan cricket on the world map.