Rashid

Khan

Rashid Khan Biography and Career

When we think of cricket in Afghanistan, one name stands out: Rashid Khan. His consistent performances and record-breaking achievements have made him a global icon in the world of cricket.

Rashid peaked in international cricket due to his deceptive leg-spin and mastery of the googly. What sets him apart is his ability to maintain an economical bowling rate while consistently taking wickets.

He made his One-Day International (ODI) debut for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe on October 18, 2015, followed by his T20I debut against the same team on October 26, 2015.

Rashid's maiden T20I five-wicket haul came at the second T20I against Ireland on March 10, 2017. His figures of five wickets for three runs represent the best bowling performance by an Afghan cricketer in a T20I match. He also became the first player to achieve a five-wicket haul within just two overs in a T20I.

His best bowling figures in ODI came against West Indies on June 9, 2017. He took 7 wickets by giving just 18 runs. This was his second ODI five-wicket haul figure.

Known for his deceptive googly, which makes him nearly unplayable, Rashid became the fastest player to get 100 wickets in both ODIs (44 matches) and T20Is (53 matches), a testament to his consistency and skill.

Rashid's spot-on performances in ODIs and T20s earned him the Associate Cricketer of the Year title by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in January 2018. The following month, the ICC named him as one of the ten players to watch ahead of the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament.

Rashid's bowling performance has helped the Afghanistan win many big matches, taking them up the cricket table.

Rashid's Test debut came against India on June 14, 2018, however, his performance in his Test debut did not come well. He conceded 154 runs in the first innings of the match and took only 2 wickets. This proved to be a learning experience for him as in February 2019, he took five wickets for 82 runs in a one-off match against Ireland in India. This figure made him the first bowler for Afghanistan to take a five-wicket haul in a Test match.

Revered for constantly learning & adapting and adding variety to his bowling, Rashid's leadership qualities emerged early, leading Afghanistan to crucial victories.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) named Rashid as the team's new T20I captain in April 2019. He was also appointed as the vice-captain of the ODI squad. Following the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he was appointed as captain of the Afghanistan across all formats.

At the age of 20 years, Rashid became the youngest cricketer to captain a Test match in the one-off Test against Bangladesh in September 2019, leading Afghanistan to a historic victory over Bangladesh, where he also registered a ten-wicket haul and a half-century.

In honour of his contributions to cricket, Rashid has received various awards, including being named the ICC Men's T20I Player of the Decade in 2020.

Rashid's exceptional bowling skills as well as his performance in batting in crucial overs have made him a sought-after player in various T20 leagues. His Indian Premier League (IPL) journey started with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2017, later joining Gujarat Titans (GT) in 2022, where he played a key role in their championship win in their debut season.

For Rashid, the IPL 2023 season proved to be the best season of his IPL journey. He took 27 wickets that season and finished third in terms of best bowling by any player in the tournament. In the same season, he took a hat-trick against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with figures of 3 for 37, becoming the fourth player to take a hat-trick in IPL history.

Rashid's performances have been praised by cricket legends and commentators as well. His fascinating bowling has been described as "mesmerising", with many highlighting his composure under pressure. Fans admire his fighting spirit and often celebrate his achievements on social media.

Rashid's success in the cricket world has not only elevated Afghanistan status but also inspired numerous young athletes in his homeland.

Beyond Cricket

A passionate advocate for education, Rashid Khan has been involved in initiatives promoting schooling in Afghanistan, highlighting the importance of balancing academics with sports. He also launched a charity foundation, Rashid Khan Foundation, to help provide humanitarian assistance and education to orphans and underprivileged children in the country.

In 2023, Rashid declared to donate all his ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 fees to help the affected people from the earthquake that hit his country.

Away from cricket, Rashid has built a strong presence on social media, with over 10 million Instagram followers. He actively engages with fans via social media, sharing glimpses of his training, travels, and personal moments. 

In October 2024, Rashid got married in Kabul in a traditional Pashtun ceremony. His three brothers also got married on the same day.

Records

Test Matches:

• Youngest Test Captain: Led the Afghanistan team against Bangladesh at the age of 20 years and 350 days.
• Best Bowling Figures: Took 7 wickets by giving just 66 runs in an inning against Zimbabwe.
• First Afghan to take 10-Wicket Haul: Became first Afghanistan player to take 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh in 2019.

One Day Internationals (ODIs):

• Fastest to 100 Wickets: Took 100 ODI wickets in just 44 matches, breaking the previous record of 52 matches, set by Australian player Mitchell Starc.
• Best Bowling Figures: Took 7 wickets by giving just 18 runs against West Indies in 2017.
• Most Wickets for Afghanistan: As of 2024, he took 198 wickets in 111 matches.

Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is):

• Fastest to 100 Wickets: Became the fastest bowler, in terms of matches, to take 100 wickets in T20I cricket in just 53 matches.
• Best Bowling Figures: Took 5 wickets by giving only 3 runs in a match against Ireland in 2017.

Indian Premier League (IPL):

• Debut Season Wickets: Took 17 wickets playing for SRH in the 2017 IPL season.
• Hat-Trick: Recorded a hat-trick in 2023 with GT against KKR.
• Consistent Economy Rate: Has been the consistent economy rate in IPL history.

Other Formats:

• Big Bash League (BBL): Consistent top-wicket taker for Adelaide Strikers in BBL.
• Hat-trick in BBL: In January 2020, in a match against the Sydney Sixers, Rashid took the fifth hat-trick in the history of the BBL.