Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan is an Afghanistan International Cricketer. He made his first international appearance in an ODI against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Oct 18, 2015. He became the first player to take a five-wicket haul in two overs in a T20I match.

Full Name: Rashid Khan Arman

Birth Date: September 20, 1998

Birthplace: Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Jersey Number: 19

Height: 5 ft 6 in

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Right Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-break

Major Teams

Adelaide Strikers, Afghanistan, Afghanistan U19, Comilla Victorians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Quetta Gladiators, World XI, Sussex, Kabul Zwanan, Durban Heat, Maratha Arabians, Rotterdam Rhinos

Rashid Khan’s International and IPL Debut

Test debut vs India at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Jun 14, 2018

ODI debut vs Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Oct 18, 2015

T20 debut vs Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Oct 26, 2015

IPL debut vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Apr 05, 2017

Rashid Khan Awards and Achievements

• In January 2018, the International Cricket Council (ICC) named him as the Associate Cricketer of the Year.
• In April 2018, he was named in the Rest of the World XI squad for the one-off T20I against the West Indies, which was played at Lord’s on 31 May 2018.

White Ball Cricket

Rashid Khan, the talented Afghan cricketer, made his international debut in ODIs and T20Is in 2015, quickly establishing himself as a formidable force in the cricketing world. His remarkable achievements and records speak volumes about his skill and dedication to the game.

ODI Debut and Early Success:

Rashid Khan marked his One Day International (ODI) debut for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe on 18 October 2015. In just his second ODI series, he displayed his potential by taking a five-wicket haul against Ireland in March 2017. His figures of 5 wickets for 3 runs remain the best bowling performance by an Afghan cricketer in a T20I and the joint fourth-best figures in all T20Is. He also became the first player to achieve a five-wicket haul in just two overs in a T20I match.

ODI Milestones and Recognition:

During an ODI series against Ireland, Rashid Khan, along with Paul Stirling, became the first pair of bowlers from different teams to each take six wickets in the same ODI. His standout performance came against the West Indies in June 2017, where he took his second ODI five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 7 wickets for 18 runs. This remarkable achievement not only secured Afghanistan’s victory but also earned him the man of the match award.

ICC Recognition and Captaincy:

In January 2018, the International Cricket Council (ICC) recognized Rashid Khan as the Associate Cricketer of the Year, a testament to his growing stature in the cricketing world. He was appointed as the stand-in captain of the Afghanistan team for the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament, showcasing his leadership skills and strategic acumen. The ICC also named him as one of the ten players to watch ahead of the tournament.

T20I Performances and Captaincy:

Rashid Khan’s prowess in T20 cricket has been exceptional. In a T20I match against Ireland in February 2019, he took a hat-trick and four wickets in four balls, showcasing his ability to turn matches single-handedly. Following the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Rashid was appointed as the captain of the Afghanistan cricket team across all three formats, highlighting the trust and confidence placed in him by the team management.

Continued Success and ICC Recognition:

In November 2020, Rashid Khan was nominated for the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade award, a testament to his consistent performances and impact in T20 cricket. He won the prestigious accolade the following month, solidifying his status as one of the best T20I cricketers of his generation. In July 2021, he was again named the captain of Afghanistan’s T20I team, a position he held with pride and responsibility.

T20 World Cup and Records:

In the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Rashid Khan was named the captain of Afghanistan’s squad, showcasing his leadership in a high-pressure tournament. Despite stepping down as the team’s captain due to issues with the selection committee, his contribution to Afghanistan cricket has been immense. During the tournament, he achieved a significant milestone by taking his 400th wicket in Twenty20 cricket, highlighting his impact as a bowler.

Captaincy Reappointment:

In December 2022, Rashid Khan was once again appointed as the captain of Afghanistan’s T20I team, following Mohammad Nabi’s resignation from captaincy after the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. His reappointment signifies the trust and belief in his leadership abilities, and he continues to be a pivotal figure in Afghanistan cricket.

Domestic and T20 Franchise Career of Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan’s domestic and franchise T20 career is a testament to his versatility and impact as a cricketer. He has excelled in various leagues around the world, showcasing his skill and consistency.

First-Class Debut and Early Success:
Rashid Khan made his first-class debut for Afghanistan against the England Lions in Abu Dhabi on 7 December 2016. He impressed with both bat and ball, taking 4 for 48 and 8 for 74, and scoring 25 not out and 52.

Indian Premier League (IPL):
Rashid Khan was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹4 Crores in the 2017 IPL, becoming one of the first Afghan players to be selected. He made an immediate impact, taking two wickets in his debut match and finishing the tournament as the sixth-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets from 14 matches. He played his 100th T20 match during the 2018 IPL and was named the man of the match for his performance.

In the 2022 IPL, Rashid Khan played as the vice-captain for the Gujarat Titans, showcasing his leadership skills and versatility in T20 cricket.

Caribbean Premier League (CPL):
Rashid Khan was bought by Guyana Amazon Warriors for $60,000 in the 2017 CPL. He took a hat-trick in September 2017, becoming the first player to achieve this feat in CPL history. He later joined Barbados Tridents in 2020 and became the youngest bowler to take 300 wickets in T20 cricket at the age of 21 years and 335 days.

Big Bash League (BBL):
Rashid Khan signed with Adelaide Strikers for the 2017–18 BBL season and played a pivotal role in their championship victory. He took the fifth hat-trick in BBL history during BBL|09 and has been a fan favorite in Adelaide since then. In the 2021–22 BBL season, he played his 300th T20 match and took six wickets for 17 runs, his career-best figures.

Afghanistan Premier League (APL):
In the first edition of the APL in 2018, Rashid Khan was named the Icon Player for Kabul Zwanan. Despite his team’s loss in the final, he was named the player of the tournament for his outstanding performances.

Pakistan Super League (PSL):
Rashid Khan played for Quetta Gladiators in the 2018 PSL and has been a key player in subsequent editions. He was named the first Platinum Pick for Lahore Qalandars in the 2021 edition.

Other Tournaments:
Rashid Khan has played in various other T20 leagues around the world, including the NatWest T20 Blast in England for Sussex County Cricket Club, The Hundred for Trent Rockets, Mzansi Super League T20 for Durban Heat, Euro T20 Slam for Rotterdam Rhinos (though the tournament was canceled), and Major League Cricket for MI New York.

Test Cricket

Rashid Khan’s Test career began with a challenging debut against India in 2018, where he conceded 154 runs in the first innings, setting a record for the most runs conceded by a bowler in his country’s inaugural Test match. Despite this initial setback, Rashid’s talent and potential were evident, and he quickly adapted to the demands of Test cricket. In his second Test against Ireland in 2019, he made history by becoming the first Afghan bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Test match, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level.

As Rashid Khan continues to grow in Test cricket, he faces the dual challenge of maintaining his effectiveness as a bowler while also contributing with the bat and in the field. His leg-spin bowling remains his primary weapon, known for its accuracy and variations, but he has also shown glimpses of his batting prowess, with the potential to be a useful all-rounder in the longer format. With his determination and skill, Rashid is poised to be a key figure in Afghanistan’s Test team, providing leadership and inspiration to his teammates as they strive for success in Test cricket.

Rashid Khan Records

• His figures of five wickets for three runs is the best bowling performance by an Afghan cricket in a T20I and the joint fourth-best figures in all T20Is.
• He became the first player to take a five-wicket haul in two overs in a T20I match.

• He holds the record of fourth best ODI bowling figures.
• H is the first associate nation cricketer to take 7 wickets in ODI.
• He is the first bowler for Afghanistan to take a five-wicket haul in a Test match.