Exile to excellence! Rashid Khan`s evolution into Afghanistan`s World Cup icon

Rashid Khan`s rise to grow to be a multi-millionaire cricket famous person started in probably the most determined of circumstances as a refugee dwelling within the Pakistan metropolis of Peshawar. However, as an in-demand franchise cricketer along with his field of leg-spin tips, the 25-year-old has now amassed riches which might have been unimaginable when his household fled the conflict in Afghanistan.

His most up-to-date deal within the money-spinning Indian Premier League earned him an estimated $1.8 million and he boasts houses in Dubai and Sharjah. Now, the Afghanistan captain additionally finds himself simply two wins away from the T20 World Cup 2024 title. For the coach who taught him cricket throughout his adolescence in Pakistan, he was all the time destined for greatness.

“Rashid has a blessed right hand with which he bowls world class deliveries,” Rashid`s sports activities trainer Ali Hoti instructed AFP by phone from Peshawar. “His focus, commitment and talent were exemplary and he is now a role model across the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Rashid and his household — he’s one in all 11 youngsters — had adopted a well-trodden path from the turmoil of conflict in Afghanistan to the relative security of neighbouring Pakistan. His dad and mom had owned a tyre firm within the japanese province of Nangarhar.

The younger Rashid was additionally educated in his adopted house, finding out laptop science at Peshawar`s Islamia College. “During cricket trials, we saw huge talent in Rashid so we got him admission in computer science. He was a good student as well and that was the start of his career in 2013,” added 39-year-old Hoti.

An unassuming teenager of few phrases, Rashid hit the bottom operating, scoring a century in a match after which helped his staff to the native collegiate remaining. “Rashid was a better batter than a bowler but later he developed the skills of leg-break and with his focus attained good success,” mentioned Hoti. “His best trait was to understand the situation of a game.”

Rashid`s massive worldwide break got here when former Pakistan skippers Rashid Latif, Inzamam-ul-Haq and quick bowler Kabir Khan coached Afghanistan within the staff`s early years.

“An Afghanistan team came to Peshawar in 2014 and played some matches during which Rashid`s performances caught the eye and the rest is history,” added Hoti. Since making his debut in 2015, Rashid has performed nearly 200 one-day internationals and T20s. He has additionally featured in 5 Afghanistan Test matches even when his 2018 debut was forgettable as he went 2-154 in an innings defeat by India.

Also Read: Afghanistan braced for `large` T20 World Cup semi-final

That didn’t forestall him changing into the youngest ever Test captain at simply 20 and his worldwide profession has thus far yielded a complete of 369 wickets. As a T20 franchise cricketer, he helped Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2023 and guided Lahore Qalandars to back-to-back titles within the Pakistan Super League in 2022 and 2023. Qalandars` chief working officer Sameen Rana praised Rashid as a “team man”.

“For me Rashid is not only humble but the most selfless person and his work ethic is next level as he never shies away from putting in an extra yard for the team. For him the team comes first,” mentioned Rana.

At the continuing T20 World Cup 2024, Afghanistan defeated New Zealand within the first spherical to assist earn a Super Eights place earlier than they clinched a surprising victory over former champions Australia. Rashid has led from the entrance, taking 4-17 towards New Zealand and 1-23 towards Australia. However, his better of 4-23, and a rating of 19 not out off simply 10 balls got here within the crunch recreation towards Bangladesh, incomes Afghanistan a semi-final spot at a World Cup for the primary time.

His aggressive captaincy has not spared his personal gamers — within the nail-biting win over Bangladesh on Monday, he even threw his bat in direction of Karim Janat who had refused a second run which disadvantaged him of the strike.

(With company inputs)

Source: www.mid-day.com

Get Latest News, India News, World News, Todays news