Adam Gilchrist lauds Rashid Khan on his scintillating BBL debut

Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan had his dream come true when he was signed by Adelaide Strikers for the ongoing BBL07 season. And he did justice to the signing by earning the Man of the Match (MoM) award on his debut in the Big Bash League (BBL). 19-year-old Rashid, who became the first Afghanistan cricketer to play in the BBL, starred in the Strikers’ 53-run win over Sydney Thunder in Adelaide late Friday.

The youngster captured two for 22 from four overs, highlighted by a spectacular wrong’un. Rashid’s canny wrist spin helped penetrate the Thunder’s batting, grabbing the wickets of Ryan Gibson caught behind followed by a wrong’un to bowl Ben Rohrer two balls later.

And while receiving the MoM honours, Rashid Khan shared the stage with former Australian legend, Adam Gilchrist. It was a fanboy moment for the young spinner and his joy was doubled when the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman took to his Twitter handle to laud the young prodigy. Gilchrist wrote, “Wonderful to meet you, and brilliant to watch your skills on display mate. A great addition to the @BBL @tensporttv #BBL07”

Rashid followed it up with a courteous, “Thank you Legend @gilly381.”

You can see the Tweets below

It was wonderful feeling among the legends and my all time favourite wkt keeper batsman @gilly381 ?? @juniorwaugh349 @bowlologist pic.twitter.com/FbCp8lqD6r

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) December 22, 2017

Wonderful to meet you, and brilliant to watch your skills on display mate. A great addition to the @BBL @tensporttv #BBL07 https://t.co/7VTLT1CyNH

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) December 22, 2017

Thank you Legend ????@gilly381

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) December 23, 2017

Rashid warns video research won’t help the batsmen

Rashid, who played the first of his 32 one-day internationals only a month after his 17th birthday, said his Adelaide teammates were encouraging him to demonstrate his variations. The right-arm leg break even warned rival batsmen that no amount of video research could properly prepare them to pick his wrong’un, which drifts through the air like an orthodox leg break only to continue on the same course after it pitches.

Rashid was quoted saying by Cricket.com.au, “I think the speed I bowl makes it difficult for the batsman. You can see in the video, but once you come to the centre it’s looking everything different.”