OTD | One of finest leg-spinners of modern era, Rashid Khan turns 25

Afghanistan’s cricket sensation Rashid Khan has emerged as their inaugural global superstar, playing a pivotal role in their early international successes. Rashid is renowned for his remarkably effective leg spin, The 25-year-old has earned a reputation as one of the finest T20 bowlers globally, highly sought after by teams in various leagues. 

Unlike traditional big turners, he relies on pace, emulating his idol Shahid Afridi, and maintains precision with a stump-to-stump line. The star leg spinner has been a key weapon in a precise googly, complemented by an array of variations. With the bat, Rashid is a capable boundary hitter, often elevating middling totals to victorious ones. The versatile skills of the leg spinner have left an indelible mark on the cricketing world, making him a force to be reckoned with in international cricket.

On this day, the legendary spinner turned 25 years old. Interestingly, the star Afghanistan player was just 17 when he made his international debut on an Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe in October month in 2015. The subsequent year, he achieved multiple records, including becoming the youngest cricketer to lead the ODI bowling rankings, the quickest to captain an international team, and the fastest to reach 100 ODI wickets.

In Afghanistan’s debut Test cricket year, Rashid Khan played pivotal roles in significant victories. He captured five wickets in the second innings, contributing to their first Test win against Ireland. Six months later, he made a crucial fifty and achieved twin five-wicket hauls, amassing 11 wickets in a historic triumph over Bangladesh in Chattogram. In 2021, Rashid replicated his 11-wicket feat in a victory against Zimbabwe.

During his five-season stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, Rashid emerged as a prominent figure, securing 93 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.33. His transfer to Gujarat Titans in 2022 proved highly successful, as he claimed 19 wickets, leading the team to the championship. His exceptional all-round abilities have made him a global T20 superstar, leaving an indelible mark on the cricketing world with his remarkable performances both with bat and ball.

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