T20 cricket has traditionally been a domain dominated by powerful batsmen who could change the course of a match with a single stroke. Legends like Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, and AB de Villiers have showcased their batting prowess, setting high standards in the format. Bowlers often had to rely on favorable pitch conditions, such as a spinning surface or a track that aided fast bowlers, to gain an advantage. However, the emergence of Rashid Khan in 2015 dramatically shifted this paradigm. The Afghan spinner, with his extraordinary skill and flair, challenged the notion that T20 cricket was exclusively a batsman’s game. His rise has not only transformed the way spin bowling is perceived in T20 cricket but also solidified his place among the greats of the game.

Rashid Khan’s Childhood, Age, and Early Years

Rashid Khan was born on September 20, 1998, in Nangarhar, Eastern Afghanistan. At 25 years old, Rashid’s journey from a war-torn backdrop to international cricket stardom is nothing short of remarkable. His early years were marked by the Afghan war, which led his family to seek refuge in Pakistan. Despite the turbulent conditions, his family eventually returned to Afghanistan, where Rashid resumed his education and immersed himself in cricket.

Growing up in Jalalabad with ten siblings, Rashid developed a passion for cricket early on. He was inspired by Shahid Afridi, a prominent Pakistani cricketer known for his aggressive leg-spin. Rashid emulated Afridi’s bowling style and played cricket with his brothers, laying the foundation for a future career in the sport.

Rashid Khan’s International Cricket Debut and Career

ODI Debut and Career:

Rashid Khan made his One Day International (ODI) debut for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe on October 18, 2015, at just 17 years old. His debut performance was impressive, and he quickly became a standout player. Rashid’s defining moment in ODIs came during a match against the West Indies, where he achieved remarkable figures of 7 wickets for 18 runs. This performance was notable for being the fourth-best bowling figures in ODI history and the best by a player from an associate nation.

In March 2018, Rashid captained Afghanistan for the first time during the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, making him the youngest international captain at the age of 19. By February 2018, Rashid had made history by becoming the youngest player to top the ICC Player Rankings for both ODI and T20I bowlers. His all-round abilities were highlighted during the 2018 Asia Cup, where he also topped the ICC all-rounder rankings.

Rashid’s remarkable achievement continued as he reached 100 ODI wickets in just 44 matches, becoming the fastest and youngest player to do so. Despite a challenging 2019 World Cup campaign where he had a notably expensive spell, Rashid bounced back strongly in the 2023 World Cup, where Afghanistan secured a commendable 6th place, defeating strong teams like England and Pakistan.

T20I Career:

Rashid Khan made his T20 International (T20I) debut on October 26, 2015, just days after his ODI debut. His early impact was significant, and he soon established himself as a leading figure in T20I cricket. One of his most memorable performances came in March 2017, when he took a historic five-wicket haul against Ireland. His figures of 5 wickets for 3 runs were the best by an Afghan cricketer and the joint fourth-best in T20I history.

Rashid’s prowess continued as he was named Associate Cricketer of the Year by the ICC in January 2018. He became the fastest bowler to reach 50 T20I wickets in June 2018 and set a record for the fastest bowler to achieve 100 T20I wickets. His performances consistently put him at the top of the T20I bowling charts.

Test Debut and Career:

The Afghanistan National Cricket Team gained Test status in 2017, marking a significant milestone for the team. Rashid Khan made his Test debut against India in June 2018, participating in Afghanistan’s first-ever Test match. In September 2019, Rashid made history again by becoming the youngest player to captain a Test side, leading Afghanistan in a one-off Test against Bangladesh at the age of 20 years and 350 days. His debut as Test captain was notable for his all-round performance, including becoming the first player to take a 10-wicket haul and score a half-century in the same match as a Test captain.

Rashid Khan in the IPL and Other T20 Leagues

In the Indian Premier League (IPL):

Rashid Khan made his IPL debut in 2017 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, purchased for Rs. 4 Crores. He immediately made an impact, finishing as the sixth-highest wicket-taker in his debut season with 17 wickets from 14 matches. His performances established him as a key player for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he played a crucial role in their run to the IPL finals in 2018, although they lost to the Chennai Super Kings.

In 2022, Rashid Khan joined the Gujarat Titans, who bought him during the IPL Mega Auction. His first season with the team saw him serve as the vice-captain under Hardik Pandya. The Gujarat Titans went on to win the IPL Trophy in their debut season. Rashid’s performance in the 2023 season included a memorable hat-trick against Kolkata Knight Riders, further enhancing his reputation in the league. His current IPL salary is Rs. 15 Crores per year, reflecting his status as one of the highest-paid players in the league.

Other T20 Leagues:

Rashid Khan’s impact extends beyond the IPL. In the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), he played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and achieved a significant milestone by taking the first hat-trick in CPL history. In the 2020 CPL, he became the youngest bowler to reach 300 T20 wickets.

In the Big Bash League (BBL), Rashid joined the Adelaide Strikers and contributed to their title win in the 2017–18 season. He continued his success in the BBL with another hat-trick in 2020 and achieved his career-best figures of six wickets for 17 runs in the 2021–22 season.

Rashid’s performances in the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) saw him named the Icon Player for Kabul Zwanan, earning the Player of the Tournament title despite his team losing in the final. In the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he played for the Quetta Gladiators in 2018 and later became the first Platinum Pick for Lahore Qalandars in 2021.

Rashid has also featured in the NatWest T20 Blast in England, the Mzansi Super League T20 in South Africa, and The Hundred. His global T20 journey reached a new height in 2023 when he won the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) T20 with the MI New York Team.

Rashid Khan’s Stats and Records

International Cricket:

• Tests: 5 matches, 34 wickets, Best Figures: 7/137
• ODIs: 103 matches, 183 wickets, Best Figures: 7/18
• T20Is: 82 matches, 130 wickets, Best Figures: 5/3

Indian Premier League (IPL):

• Career: 109 matches, 139 wickets, Best Figures: 4/24

Overall T20 Records:

• Total Wickets: 556 wickets in 410 matches
• Hat-tricks: 4

Notable Records:

• ODI Records: Rashid holds the record for the most impressive bowling performance by an associate nation player in ODIs. He is the youngest to top the ICC ODI bowler rankings and the fastest to 100 ODI wickets. His career ODI bowling average of 18.65 is the second-best.
• Test Records: Rashid is the first Afghan bowler to take a 5-wicket and a 10-wicket haul in Test matches. He is also the first player to score a half-century and take 10 wickets in a single Test match as a captain.
• T20 Records: Rashid is the youngest player to top the ICC T20I bowler rankings and the first to take a five-wicket haul in just two overs in T20Is. He is the fastest to 100 T20I wickets and one of only four bowlers to take over 450 T20 wickets across formats. Rashid also holds the record for the most hat-tricks in T20 cricket.

Rashid Khan’s journey from a young Afghan talent to one of the most revered spin bowlers in cricket history is a testament to his skill, determination, and groundbreaking achievements. His impact on the T20 format and beyond continues to inspire cricketers and fans worldwide.