T20 World Cup 2021: Rashid Khan picks his top five T20 players, excludes himself

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan revealed his top five T20 players across the globe ahead of the T20 World Cup, which gets underway from October 17 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Interestingly, Rashid did not include himself despite having made his name as one of the finest short-format players in the world in the last few years. The crafty spinner happens to be one of the most sought-after players in the world of franchise-based short-format leagues, while his numbers in international cricket are exceptional too, to say the least.

Revealing his top five picks, Rashid first chose Indian skipper Virat Kohli, the leading T20I run-scorer with 3159 runs at a brilliant average and strike rate of 52.65 and 139.04, respectively. “Doesn’t really depend on the wicket, doesn’t matter whatever the wicket is, he is someone who is going to step up and perform,” Rashid reasoned.

Next Rashid chose New Zealand and his skipper at Sunrisers Hyderabad Kane Williamson, who has 1805 T20I runs at 31.66 and a strike rate, for the sense of “calm” he brings to the side.

About his next choice, South African legend AB de Villiers, Rashid said: “A destructive batsman. Someone who can give you quick runs at any stage, any wicket, against any bowler and he can play any shot. As a captain, you will always love to have that batsman.”

Rashid picked West Indies all-rounder and an undisputed T20 legend Kieron Pollard and Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the remaining two choices. “These two will be my key (batters) who can chase 80-90 when I need them in the last four-five overs,” Khan said of Pollard and Pandya. “They are the kind of batsmen who can do the job for you easily.”

Rashid, who was seen in action during the Indian Premier League, will be on his national duty with Afghanistan as the T20 World Cup begins. Afghanistan have been grouped alongside India, Pakistan and New Zealand in Group B and will begin thier campaign on October 25 against the qualifier. They next play Pakistan (October 29), the second qualifier (October 31), India (November 3) and New Zealand (November 7) in the Super12.

Check the latest updates of the T20 World Cup schedule, T20 World cup Teams and Squads, T20 World Cup Points table, and more on CricTracker.