Rashid Khan calls Sachin Tendulkar ‘greatest batsman’ after latter wishes him on b’day

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan turned 20 on Thursday and it was a memorable birthday for him as he excelled with the bat against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi, scoring an unbeaten 57 in just 32 balls. However, ahead of the game, Rashid did not forget to thank the legendary Sachin Tendulkar after the latter wished him on the eve of his birthday on Twitter.

Rashid, the fastest bowler to take 100 ODI wickets, came to the rescue of his side in the 41st over when they were 160 for 7. Along with all-rounder Gulbadin Naib (42 not out), he added 95 runs for the unbeaten eighth wicket to take Afghanistan to 255 in their allotted 50 overs. He hit eight boundaries and a six to end with a strike rate of 178.12.

He made his birthday memorable by delivering for his team with the ball as well and his two scalps were the two most dangerous batsmen in the Bangladeshi line-up Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah. This game, however, has little more than academic value as both teams have qualified for the Super Fours with thumping wins over a hapless Sri Lanka. Rashid had earlier picked two wickets against the Lankans.

In all he has 176 international wickets in one Test, 48 ODIs and 35 T20Is and has three half-centuries to his credit. He has been the most successful teenage bowler the world has seen.

‘Greatest batsman of all time’

The cricketer, a popular one on Twitter, however, showed his modest face by replying to Tendulkar’s wish on Thursday, saying: “The greatest batsman of all time @sachin_rt PAJI thank you for your wishes. You are the champion and legend of cricket. Your wishes means to me a lot.” Tendulkar’s wish was liked 30k times and retweeted 2.1k times. A lot of Afghanistan supporters also appreciated Tendulkar for his greeting tweet for the talented bowler.

In the same thread, English woman cricketer Danielle Wyatt also wished the Afghanistan bowler on his birthday.

The greatest batsman of all time @sachin_rt PAJI thank you for your wishes. You are the champion and legend of cricket. Your wishes means to me a lot 🙏🙏🙏🙌🏻🙌🏻👍🏻👍🏻

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) September 20, 2018

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