While they are not yet there in terms of constantly troubling the top teams, Afghanistan have gained respect in one-day cricketing circles with their enthusiasm and passion.
Afghanistan also have produced some good cricketers in the recent times, with the latest addition to that impressive list being Rashid Khan, a young leg spinner with immense talent.
In his short career, Khan has become an integral part of Afghanistan side with some mind-boggling numbers. While the top eight nations are battling for the Champions Trophy, Afghanistan are taking on the West Indies, and in the first ODI between the nations, Khan claimed 7/18 in a crushing win for his side.
The West Indies batsmen were clueless and struggled to pick his variation in an abject capitulation in the first ODI. Khan also bowled brilliantly in the second ODI, which his side lost, to pick up three more Windies wickets.
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His brilliant performance was the fourth-best ODI figures in the history of the game, with Chaminda Vaas the only bowler to claim eight wickets in an innings.
At just 18 years of age, Khan has played 28 ODI games, claiming 63 wickets, with an amazing average of 14.74. These numbers may be skewed due to lack of games with the top nations, but are still remarkable.
Khan is an extremely accurate spinner with a great googly to boot.
Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL this season, Khan’s 17 wickets was second only to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for their club.
Afghanistan, as a cricketing nation, is still in its infancy, but having stars like Rashid Khan and Mohammed Nabi will surely help them to grow.
The series against West Indies might not get much media attention, but it’s an important series for Afghanistan, as they now stand a chance to actually win a series against a Test-playing nation.
Khan is one of the best leg spinners in world cricket at the moment, and he surely can become the best with more exposure and games against top cricketing nations.
What do other cricket fans think of this bowling? How good is he compared to other spinners around the world?
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
Great information Anindya. It was brilliant that Sunrisers not only picked two Afghans in the squad but also played them. Nabi and Rashid are stars of world cricket and they need to be promoted. Rashid along with Tahir is the best leg spinner in the world at the moment. It is a shame that he doesn't get to play against top teams very often. IPL is a good exposure for him and I hope that he gets picked in BBL as well next season.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
The only leg spinner who compares with him at the moment (I am going by the several matches I saw him bowl at in the IPL, and in fact I was supporting Hyderabad only because they picked the two Afghans) is Imran Tahir. It was so encouraging that at every opportunity during the IPL, when the team's played each other, Tahir was out in the nets with Rashid giving him tips. I spoke to VVS Laxman during the IPL (the mentor of Hyderabad) and he was really pleased with Rashid's attitude and hunger to learn, and delighted at how well he was bowling. For sure, the most exciting leg spinner in the world today. Several notches above people like Zampa or Rashid's English namesake.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
LOL...Going the English way eh? Yup it will interesting to see if any BBL team would sign him up for the next season. He was quite a surprise in the IPL this year.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
Yes he was phenomenal in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
twodogs
Guest
Only 18 eh? Astounding. Might have to get him in the BBL and get him to claim political asylum. ?
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Agreed. From what I have seen he is one of the best spinners in the world already. Only 18 years old. It will be interesting to see how he progresses.