Ultimate dream of Rashid Khan is to play Test cricket for Afghanistan

Afghanistan teenage sensation Rashid Khan is having a wonderful time in his debut season of Indian Premier League and the leggie has already bagged the Purple Cap award for bagging 5 wickets in the first 2 outings. In opening encounter against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rashid bagged a couple of wickets and looked in great wicket-taking form.

In the 2nd encounter against the Gujarat Lions, Rashid was even better finishing with exceptional figures of 3/19 in his allotted 4 overs. The teenager has something uncanny about his deliveries that even the best in the business finds it difficult to pick his deliveries. He has been a great bowler for the Asian minnows and is now reaping the rewards in the biggest domestic T20 tournament in the world.

The youngster who bagged a whopping 4.2 crores in the IPL auction conceded that his ultimate dream is to play Test cricket for Afghanistan. With the giant strides taken by the Afghans in international cricket off late, the day might not be far when we might see the Afghan players receding out to the field with their Test whites on. It will be a memorable achievement for them when they do get the opportunity to play at the highest level.

“The target is – I should play Test cricket for my country,” Rashid was quoted as saying by Reuters during a telephonic conversation. “That’s my main target, to be called a Test cricketer,” he further added. Meanwhile, Rashid is enjoying his experience to rub shoulders with some of the very best in the game with the likes of David Warner, Yuvraj Singh, Muthiah Muralitharan and Tom Moody in the Hyderabad camp.

Rashid conceded that he is using it as an opportunity to learn from the best in the lot and pick the brains of some of the top coaches in the league. He is also seizing the opportunity to play in front of huge crowds. “It’s been a wonderful experience, playing with big names like (David) Warner, Yuvraj (Singh), Kane Williamson. We’ve one of the best coaching staff that includes Tom Moody and (Muttiah) Muralitharan. It changes your game,” he added.

“To be part of such a wonderful team also shows that I’ve something and I’m capable of giving.” The teenage spinner also added that his stint with Hyderabad will inspire the kids of the country to take up cricket despite the lack of facilities to make a lasting impression on the game. “It means a lot for Afghanistan cricket. It’s a big thing for a player from an associate member to play in such a big event like IPL”.

“It’s a wonderful message to all the players in Afghanistan — that if you work hard and perform well, you can achieve any target.” Meanwhile, Rashid is hopeful of justifying his big price tag of Rs. 4.2 crores. “I have nothing in my mind. I’ve been playing non-stop cricket for the last three months. I have not been to home for a long time. Once I’m free, get some time and go home, I’d discuss with family and decide what to do with it,” Rashid concluded.