Young Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan’s trajectory in international cricket is a far resounding one. For in no time, with a number of stand-out performances with the ball, at times even the bat, he has projected himself as a top-class cricketer. But even with a caliber of his, Khan still finds it tough to be bowling at one Indian batsman. That’s some revelation the Afghan star made on a recent chat with Indian counterpart Yuzvendra Chahal.
Curious fans were surprised when they learnt of Rishabh Pant being the batsman whom Rashid Khan wouldn’t be wanting to bowl at. During his time of playing in Under-19, Khan spoke of the challenge he faced while bowling at Pant. “He has every shot in the book and is one batsman who is very tough to bowl to. I remember bowling to him at a ground in Kolkata in the U-19 Tri-series,” Khan recollected. “He has every shot in the book and is one batsman who is very tough to bowl to. I remember bowling to him at a ground in Kolkata in the U-19 Tri-series, he added.
Pant’s Ability to Hit The Big Shots
Khan was amazed with Pant’s ability and the immense talent in posed in playing the big shots. “He hit three sixes in a row and in the fourth ball he mistimed but only to be dropped at short midwicket,” Rashid opened up to Chahal. “Our bowler looked helpless and put his hands on his head, yelling in Pashto, ‘now what do I do get him out?”
Kumble and Afridi as Idols
Khan spoke of how he grew up watching spinners Anil Kumble and Shahid Afridi. Their unique variation in spin bowling was something that he followed very closely. They were spinners who bowled with a hint of pace and that’s something that I’d like having in my bowling. “I used to follow Anil Kumble, Shahid Afridi a lot. I always liked bowling at a fast pace. I have a quick run up also.”, Khan said.
An Indo-Afghan XI
Khan and Chahal had a fun time putting together their best picks who would be part of an Indo-Afghan XI. Here’s whom the duo teamed up – Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rahmat Shah, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya/Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
We’d say that’s some selection by Rashid Khan to be alongside a star-studded Indian batting line-up!