India and Afghanistan will face off against each other in a 3-game T20I series in India starting from January 12. One of the important player who was in focus was Rashid Khan.
Rashid Khan, the Afghan leg-spinner, has emerged as a game-changer in T20 International cricket, significantly impacting Afghanistan’s success. His extraordinary bowling skills, characterized by deceptive variations, impeccable control, and a quick-arm action, make him a formidable force on the T20I stage. Rashid’s ability to bamboozle batsmen with his leg-spin and googlies has often tilted matches in Afghanistan’s favor.
In T20 cricket, where momentum swings rapidly, Rashid’s presence becomes crucial. His economic bowling coupled with wicket-taking prowess exerts immense pressure on the opposition, making him a key component in Afghanistan‘s bowling arsenal. Moreover, Rashid’s handy contributions with the bat and electric fielding further solidify his all-round value in the shortest format.
As a match-winner, Rashid Khan’s performances have played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s ascent in T20 Internationals. His consistency, adaptability, and resilience make him a prized asset, underscoring the importance of his role in shaping Afghanistan’s success in T20 cricket.
However, Khan will not feature in the series as he is still recovering from his injury. He underwent a lower-back surgery a couple of months ago. He travelled with the team to India but is still not 100 percent fit to play.
IND vs AFG: Ibrahim Zadran On Why Rashid Khan Will Miss The T20 Series
Ibrahim Zadran acknowledged that Rashid Khan is not in optimal physical condition but is still traveling with the team. The captain expressed hope for Rashid’s quick recovery, mentioning ongoing rehabilitation with the team doctor. Zadran acknowledged the team’s sentiment of missing Rashid during the upcoming series due to his influential presence and vital experience.
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Despite Rashid’s absence, Zadran conveyed confidence in the team’s overall capabilities, stating that there are players with the trust and ability to deliver strong performances. While recognizing Rashid’s significance and admitting that the team might face challenges without him, Zadran emphasized the unpredictable nature of cricket, asserting the need for the team to be prepared for any situation. Despite the setback, the captain maintained optimism about the team’s ability to play good cricket and perform well in Rashid’s absence.
“He is not totally fit, but is travelling with the team. We hope that he gets fit as soon as we expect him to. He’s doing his rehab with the doctor, and we will miss him in the series…Without Rashid, there are a few players that we have trust in. I can say, they will play good cricket. Others have also played a lot of cricket and I am sure they will perform well. Without Rashid, we will struggle because his experience is crucial to all of us, but this is cricket and you need to be ready for any kind of situation…” Zadran said.
Rashid Khan ruled out of the T20I series vs India. [Sportstar] pic.twitter.com/Ywc59gUyk6
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 10, 2024
