Rashid Khan’s exponential growth in world cricket has enthralled one and all. At a tender age of just 19, the leg-spinner from Afghanistan has already played 101 T20 games and has picked up 148 wickets. More importantly, the young leggie has been able to maintain the economy rate of under six runs per over, which is a testimony of his potential. He is currently playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the ongoing 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Nangarhar-born cricketer has arguably been Afghanistan’s crucial match-winner in international cricket. He is currently playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he has already scalped 13 wickets in 10 matches so far. The batsmen have been finding it difficult to read his variations and as a result, Rashid has been able to bowl attacking in most of the situations.

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In a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, Rashid revealed that he the Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi and legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble inspired him in his growing days. Kumble and Afridi weren’t the kinds of bowlers who gave the ball much air and rather preferred to hurry the batsmen with their trajectory, accuracy, and pace. They were neither big turners of the ball but found great success in what they did. Though Rashid has the tendency to extract more from the pitch he bowls quickly through the air like the two legendary spinners.

As quoted in ESPN Cricinfo, Khan said, “I have watched a lot of Afridi and Anil Kumble because both of them were quick in the air and were accurate. I still watch some of their videos.”

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He further elaborated, “I was a huge fan of Afridi growing up. He was from the tribal area that stretches across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. I watched him, studied him. I loved his enthusiasm, the way he attacked the batsman. I knew that had to be my attitude if I wanted to be successful.”