Rashid Khan Biography
® Early Life:
Rashid Khan Arman was born on September 20, 1998, in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. Growing up in a war-torn region, cricket became his escape. Inspired by watching Shahid Afridi and Brett Lee on TV, he began playing tape-ball cricket in his backyard. Tragedy struck early when his father, a government employee, passed away in 2018, leaving Rashid to support his family. At 14, he moved to Peshawar, Pakistan, to train professionally before returning to Afghanistan as cricket gained momentum in the country.
© Domestic Career:
• 2015: Made his List A debut for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe at 16.
• 2016: Played in the U-19 World Cup, finishing as Afghanistan’s leading wicket-taker (11 wickets).
• 2017: Became a linchpin for Afghanistan’s rise to ODI status (2017) and Test status (2018).
• T20 Leagues: Dominated global leagues like the Big Bash League (BBL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL), earning a reputation as a world-class leg-spinner.
© Indian Premier League (IPL):
• 2017: Signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)** for ₹4 crore. Became the youngest overseas player (18) to debut in the IPL.
Δ : Key Performances:
~ 2018 Season: Took 21 wickets, helping SRH reach the final.
~ 2022: Joined Gujarat Titans (GT)as vice-captain, playing a pivotal role in their maiden title win with 19 wickets.
~Fastest to 100 IPL Wickets: Achieved the milestone in just 83 matches (2023).
~ Known for his economy rate (often below 7) and ability to outfox batters in crunch moments.
Î : International Career:
T20I Debut: October 2015 vs. Zimbabwe.
¤ ODI Debut: October 2015 vs. Zimbabwe.
¤ Test Debut: June 2018 vs. India (Afghanistan’s inaugural Test match).
¤ Captaincy: Became Afghanistan’s youngest ODI captain (19 years old) in 2018.
® Milestones:
• Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets: 44 matches, breaking Mitchell Starc’s record (2021).
• First Afghan to Take a Test 10-Wicket Haul: 11/104 vs. Bangladesh (2019).
• T20 World Cups: Starred in the 2021 and 2022 editions, including a hat-trick vs. West Indies (2021).
• 2023 ODI World Cup: Took 9 wickets despite Afghanistan’s struggles, including a match-winning 3/37 vs. England.
Δ : Playing Style:
A leg-spin wizard with a lightning-quick arm action, Rashid bamboozles batters with his googlies, sliders, and sharp turn. His accuracy and variations make him lethal in all formats. He’s also a handy lower-order batter, known for explosive cameos (T20I strike rate: 141.29).
Î : Personal Life:
• Rashid is deeply philanthropic, funding schools, hospitals, and cricket academies in Afghanistan.
• His family includes 12 siblings; he credits his mother and elder brother, Badar Khan, for his resilience.
• A national icon, he’s often called "Afghanistan’s Greatest Gift to Cricket."
§ : Awards & Recognition:
~ ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Decade (2011–2020) shortlist.
~ ICC Associate Player of the Year (2018, 2019).
~ No. 1 Ranked T20I Bowler for a record 1,700+ days (2018–2023).
® Future Prospects:
At 25, Rashid is already a global T20 legend. He aims to lead Afghanistan to their first World Cup knockout stage and inspire the next generation. With his leadership skills and unmatched spin arsenal, he remains a hot commodity in leagues and a key figure in Afghanistan’s cricketing future.
© Legacy:
From a refugee with a dream to a cricketing superstar, Rashid Khan’s journey embodies hope and excellence. He transformed Afghanistan into a cricketing force and redefined spin bowling in the modern era.