India vs Afghanistan: Rashid Khan eager to be known as a Test cricketer

19-year-old Afghanistan bowling sensation Rashid Khan has taken great strides ever since his foray into international cricket. He has evolved into one of finest limited overs bowler that is there in the business currently. At such a young age, Rashid has also managed to break a host of records. In February this year, the leg-spinner became the youngest male player to top the ICC rankings in any format. Just a month later he became the youngest captain in ODI cricket.

Rashid Khan is currently plying his trade in the IPL and has already garnered a reputation as a marquee player for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise. However, with Afghanistan receiving Test status last year in July, the youngster can wait to add another feather to his cap when he makes his red ball debut.

A ‘Test cricketer’ tag for Rashid Khan

Rashid says he can’t wait for any further to be known as ‘a Test cricketer’. And that dream will be fulfilled in June, when Afghanistan plays its maiden Test, against India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, here. It was only in 2009 that Afghanistan played its first ODI, and in 2013 that the nation received Associate status. It has been a staggeringly swift rise for the war-ravaged nation.

According to Sportsarlive, Khan was quoted as saying, “It will be a big day for cricket in Afghanistan. I’m really waiting for it. I can’t wait to be called a Test cricketer. That means a lot to us. I don’t think there will be anyone back home not watching that game. People in Afghanistan are crazy about cricket.”

Spin will be Afghanistan’s strength

Khan is an unusual leg-spinner, in that he does not use his wrist, but his fingers to give the ball a rip, even delivering routine leg-breaks from the back of the hand. He bowls quicker than most spinners, a quality which when combined with his repertoire of variations makes him hard to pick.

Spin will be Afghanistan’s strength in June, Khan says, while the fast bowling and batting need improvement. A great deal will depend on him, though, as it always does any time he comes on to bowl, for any side.

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