Rashid Khan Opens Up on the Hardships Before Becoming a Prominent Face

Cricket in Afghanistan hasn’t been an easy task for the players. They have had faced several problems over the years due to the political turmoil within the country. But the current bunch of Afghanistan players have made their country very proud and have realized their dream. So much so, they have made giant strides in international cricket over the past few years. The Asian country like Afghanistan has produced some special talent and Rashid Khan is one of the prominent faces.

At just 19-year age, Rashid has become the number one bowler in the shortest format of the game. He has made star batsmen dance to his tune in shorter formats owing to his cunning accuracy and guile.

However, he wasn’t quite successful during his maiden Test stint at Bengaluru but there is no doubt about the fact that he will improve as he plays more four-day and five-day cricket.

The leg-spinner struggled his way to play cricket in a war-stricken country like Afghanistan. Things weren’t easy for him as a child. His parents never wanted him to become a cricketer.

As a meritorious student in his school, Rashid wanted to become a doctor. However, it is apt that he became a cricketer. Otherwise, we would have missed a genuine sensation in the gentleman’s game.

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My parents didn’t allow me to play cricket:

“When I wanted to play cricket, my mother and father did not allow me to play, some of my siblings did not allow either. We are both Pathan who works hard with their elders and parents in fields and they go through many difficulties throughout their life so their hands become hard and strong. I was an intelligent student at school and wanted to become a doctor. I would get 5th position in class,” Rashid was quoted as saying in a talk show “Breakfast with Champions” with Gaurav Kapur.

Rashid was quite sensational during the recently concluded Indian Premier League for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He bagged 21 wickets and was the joint leading wicket-taker for the runners-up along with Siddharth Kaul. ]

In SRH camp, Rashid got the opportunity to train under the watchful eyes of veteran Muttiah Muralitharan during the tenth edition of IPL.

“I asked spin bowling coach Muralitharan during the IPL to teach the skill of slow bowling but he told me that I have a natural talent and I don’t need to be trained,” he said.

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