Adil Rashid Sets His Sights On The 2023 50-Over World Cup

Adil Rashid, one of the prime reasons- barring of-course their power-packed batting- for England’s resurgence in white-ball cricket. The English Cricket team finally achieved their long-standing ambition of winning the 50-over World Cup when they beat New Zealand [via boundary count] in one of the greatest finals in the quadrennial events history at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ Lord’s in the summer of 2019. 

Rashid may have taken just 11 wickets at an average of 47.81 during England’s World Cup campaign but he was Eoin Morgan’s sides’ best bowler in the four years leading into the tournament.

In-fact before the start of the World Cup where his campaign was marred by an injured shoulder, the vile leg-spinner was the leading wicket-taker in 50-over cricket in the world. In 83 matches between the 2015 and 2019 World Cup, Adil Rashid claimed 129 wickets at an average of 29.6 and an economy of 5.61 which also included seven four-for and two five-wicket hauls.

And, Rashid is now aiming to help England defend their title in India in 2023, provided he stays fit.

 “My aim is to play for England as long as possible. We don’t know how long that could be. Months, years, or whatever it is. I have a vision in terms of maybe achieving that, the 2023 World Cup would be lovely. If I stay fit, if my shoulder gets stronger then I can hopefully play for a long time.” Adil Rashid told ESPNCricinfo.

Rashid also hailed the way skipper Eoin Moragn supported him during the 2019 World Cup where he was obviously struggling with injury.

“He knew the shoulder wasn’t great, but he kept backing me. I went in there with a strong mindset and did a decent job. That shows when I am 100 percent everything else will hopefully work out better.” Rashid added.

Read: 2019 World Cup Final Was The Best Game Of Cricket That Has Ever Been Played: Eoin Morgan

South African series was the turning point in recovery from injured shoulder: Adil Rashid

Rashid has been steadily recovering from his shoulder injury and looked close to his best during the recent series against South Africa, which he also revealed as the turning point.

“I went in there with a strong mindset and did a decent job. That shows when I am 100 percent everything else will hopefully work out better. “South Africa was a big turning point for me,” he said. “In South Africa the shoulder was stronger.”

Rashid combined to good effect with Moeen Ali during that game on a slow Jo’Burg pitch and claimed a match-winning 3-52 which also included prized scalps of Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock.

Read: Ranking Teams With Most ICC Titles In The 21st Century