KABUL: Rashid Khan’s incredible rise has been one of the success stories in world cricket over the past few years.
According to ICC, ranked No.1 on the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings for bowlers, the leg-spinner from Afghanistan has 47 wickets from 29 T20 Internationals at 13.72 and an impressive economy rate of 5.86. In T20s overall, he has 141 wickets from 97 outings at almost similar numbers – average 15.79 and economy 5.92.
With several variations up his sleeve, Khan has emerged as the leading bowler for Afghanistan in 50-over and 20-over cricket, and is a star for most of the T20 franchises he plays for, at the moment, that’s Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 2018.
As wrist-spinners become increasingly important to a team’s cause, more and more teams have been looking to avail Khan’s services. He attributes his success in some parts to his bowling action, which he believes is different from that of other leg-spinners.
“I think the main thing is that my action is little bit different from other leg-spinners. I bowl quicker than them and my quick arm action makes it difficult to judge which way it (the ball) is going. That’s a plus point for me. I am taking advantage of that and it’s helping me,” said Rashid on the day he picked up 2/11 in four overs to help shoot Mumbai Indians out for 87 to give Hyderabad a 31-run win.
Khan has been a mixed bag in IPL 2018. After picking up three wickets in his first three games, he was taken for 55 and 49 runs in the next two.
