Rashid Khan is a champion both on and off the field: Nikhil Chopra

With his heroics against Bangladesh, Rashid Khan helped Afghanistan seal their spot in the Super 4 of the Asia Cup. Bowling first, the Afghans restricted the Bangla Tigers to 127, with Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman pickinh three wickets each. In the chase, Afghanistan was under pressure for some time but Najibullah Zadran’s magnificent 43 off 17 helped the team get over the line.

Asghar Afghan had recently revealedthat that no matter who helps the team win the match, Rashid is always the man who throws a party in the team hotel. With their qualification guaranteed, it is expected that Rashid must have done something similar last night as well. Former India cricketer Nikhil Chopra believes that it is this quality Rashid that makes a champion both on and off the field.

“He is a big-hearted person. He is not only helping the team on the field but also taking the young cricketers under his wings, as they don’t earn as much as Rashid does. He is ready to share his wealth among his teammates and, in a way, wants to create a positive environment. He wants to carry the team for future and that’s why I believe that he is not only a champion on the ground but also a champion outside the field,” Chopra said on BatBricks7 Presents Run Ki Runneeti show on CricTracker.

Mohammad Nabi was brilliant in handling Rashid Khan: Nikhil Chopra

Rashid is known to give crucial breakthroughs in every phase of the game and over the years, he has done that for every team he has played for. Against Bangladesh, captain Mohammad Nabi did not introduce Rashid in the first six overs.

With three wickets down, Bangladesh were struggling and that is when Rashid came and broke the backbone of their innings. Chopra gave credit to Nabi for his bowling change and explained how it helped his team.

“Every other team knows that Rashid is a champion and a match-winning bowler. Giving your wicket to him can be very costly for the opponent team”, said the former cricketer on the show. “Credit goes to Mohammad Nabi for giving Rashid the ball at the perfect time. He was introduced in the 7th over and then gave him the 11th over. He used Rashid just like a captain will use his match-winning bowler.”