IPL 2018: Playing for SRH feels like being in Afghanistan, says Rashid Khan

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has already earned a reputation for themselves as a strong bowling side, capable of defending even paltry scores and converting tight games in their favour. But during their last night’s fixture against the Delhi Daredevils, the orange outfit showed they can chase as well. With the win, the Kane Williamson-led side maintained the top spot at the table with 14 points.

Earlier, during DD’s batting, young Afghanistan sensation Rashid Khan gave a matchwinning performance with the ball. The Daredevils looked in good shape in the first 10 overs, enter Rashid Khan. The leg-spinner got Shaw and put brakes on DD. He also scalped the wicket of Rishabh Pant, who was struggling to get the ball away. He finished with figures of 4-0-23-2 and was named Player of the Match in his 100th T20 match. With two wickets in yesterday’s game, Rashid climbed up to the third spot in the Purple Cap list, with 12 wickets.

Speaking at the post-match conference, the 19-year-old Afghan applauded the Hyderabad crowd saying that they give him home feeling during matches which motivates him. “Feeling like playing in Afghanistan. The support and the love they’ve given me in the last two years, it’s amazing. It gives the motivation. Feels good to perform. I don’t think there’s anybody who doesn’t watch IPL (in Afghanistan). I think their prayers help me, especially my parents.”

Match Details

With the loss, Delhi edged closer to elimination as the Sunrisers pushed them towards the exit door with a seven-wicket victory. Yusuf Pathan and skipper Kane Williamson kept their calm surpassing the 164-run target in 19.5 overs on a tricky surface. Pathan’s dropped catch by Vijay Shankar was one of the game-changing moments during the chase.

Batting first, Delhi suffered an early setback as Maxwell has to face a dramatic exit. Prithvi Shaw, in a usual fashion, started hitting and gave a great start who was joined in by skipper Shreyas Iyer. Delhi was comfortably poised at 125/2 at 15 overs, optimistic of a big total. But a mixture of brain fade and terrific execution of slower balls and yorkers by SRH bowlers choked the run-flow as they finished with 164 runs on the board.

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