“More than 1,000 now”: Rashid Khan Predicts Army of Afghan Wrist-Spinners Ready to Dominate World Cricket

Gujarat Titans vice-captain Rashid Khan reckons an army of wrist-spinners from Afghanistan could dominate world cricket in the near future. Khan, who along with Afghan teammate Noor Ahmad called the shots in the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2023 Match 48 against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning spell.

While the two combined to pick bowling figures of 7-0-39-5 to run through the hosts’ middle-order, Khan’s figures of 4-0-14-3 saw him dismissing the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin (2), Riyan Parag (4) and Shimron Hetmyer (7).

Khan pointing out Afghanistan’s spinning riches came as a response to eminent broadcaster Harsha Bhogle‘s query around the number of similar spinners back home. In addition to boasting about their wealth in this division of cricket, Khan also expressed confidence in Mujeeb Ur Rahman (represented Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad between 2018-2021), Qais Ahmad and Zahir Khan‘s domination upon respective IPL call-ups.

“To be honest, more than 1,000 now. I have been to a few academies and there are so many leg-spinners. There were 250 of them after my first year in the IPL. I’ve been playing IPL for 6-7 years now, and there are so many in Afghanistan [who] trying to copy me. I receive so many videos everyday of new leg-spinners,” Khan told Star Sports Network during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Pashto helping Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad communicate in IPL 2023

Apart from participating in IPL 2023 as a player, Rashid is also happy mentoring Noor. The fact Gujarat are playing a couple of overseas wrist-spinners in the same Playing XI speaks highly of the impact created by these two.

While Rashid’s 18 wickets in 10 matches have come at an economy and strike rate of 8.05 and 13.33 respectively, Noor has picked 10 wickets in six matches at 7.03 and 12.80. Joint-highest and second-highest IPL 2023 wicket-takers respectively for GT, Rashid and Noor are the joint-highest and joint-ninth highest wicket-takers overall this season.

“It makes it easier. We speak Pashto in the middle. Noor is happy that I’m with him and he’s always someone who listens and puts it the hard work,” Rashid said of working together with an 18-year old player at Titans.

Captain Hardik Pandya (1/22 & 39*) also hailed his deputy for working with a rookie bowler and making his task easier. Pandya revealed that he doesn’t shy away from not interrupting their conversations especially when things are going their way.

“I let Rashid [Khan] handle the business with Noor [Ahmad]. Nobody better to communicate. Not much I have to do. I only suggest on when to have a slip. They are very confident about what they want to do, we only have conversations when things aren’t going right,” Pandya told Star Sports after his team registered a clinical 9-wicket victory against Rajasthan tonight.