Afghanistan star Rashid Khan has become a huge name in cricket ever since his debut at the age of 17. The right-handed spin wizard has gone on to perform miracles with the bat for his national side across all formats. Rashid Khan made his ODI debut for Afghanistan in 2015 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
After playing just 4 matches in 2015, Rashid Khan played 12 games in 2016 and picked 22 wickets. In the next two years in 2017 and 2018, Rashid Khan picked 91 wickets from a mere 36 matches with an economy rate of under 4 runs per over.
During the 2018 ODI World Cup qualifiers, the wicket of Shai Hope gave Rashid Khan a huge record. That wicket was his 100th in the ODI format and it was also the quickest by a bowler. The previous best was by Mitchell Starc who had achieved the mark in just 52 games in 2016 against Sri Lanka.
Here are the top 3 performances by Rashid Khan in ODI cricket
3. 60 not out and 4/21 vs Ireland – Belfast-2016
Not even 18 years of age, Rashid Khan had already begun showing his all-round abilities. During the 4th ODI between Afghanistan and Ireland, Rashid Khan showed the world what he was capable of. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 229 on the board from their 50 overs. Rahmat Shah had batted well to score 48 but the visitors were down in the dumps at one stage.
Rashid Khan then joined Mohammad Nabi as the pair added 54 runs for the 7th wicket. Nabi was out after scoring 50 off 57 balls but Rashid Khan kept on going. The youngster scored 60 not out from 44 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes and added 66 unbeaten runs for the 8th wicket with Mirwais Ashraf.
With the bat Rashid Khan came back to haunt the Ireland side picking 4/21 from his 8 overs. His wickets that day included Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson, Andy McBrine, and Tim Murtagh.
2. 5/24 vs Zimbabwe -Sharjah -2018
Rashid Khan chose to destroy the Zimbabwean batting unit in a one-sided game that saw Afghanistan win by 6 wickets. Zimbabwe batted first and lost Hamilton Masakadza to Dawlat Zadran. Mujeeb Ur Rahman got the wickets of Solomon Mire and Brendan Taylor for 22 and 9.
From there it was the Rashid Khan show as he ran through the opposition batting unit. Sikandar Raza (38) and Ryan Burl for the first ball fell off successive balls. Rashid Khan then had the wicket of Craig Ervine for 39. The final two wickets of the day were that of Tendai Chatara for 11 and Brian Vitori for 15.
1. 7/18 vs West Indies – Saint Lucia -2017
The best-ever bowling figures for Rashid Khan in the ODI format came against West Indies in 2017. The game played at Darren Sammy Stadium saw Rashid Khan pick 7/18 from his 8.4 overs to help Afghanistan beat West Indies by 63 runs.
Batting first, Afghanistan scored 212/6 from their 50 overs with Javed Ahmadi scoring 81. In reply the home team were batting well before the Rashid Khan show began. Jason Mohammad was the first to get caught by Nabi off Rashid for 7. The next ball Roston Chase was out for a first-ball duck.
Shai Hope became Khan’s 3rd wicket caught by Nabi for 35. Jason Holder saw his wickets take a beating for a first-ball duck. The final three wickets were that of Ashley Nurse for 12, Alzarri Joseph for 27 and Miguel Cummins for 5. With 7/18, Rashid Khan records the 4th best bowling figures in ODI cricket.
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