Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Rashid Khan: from refugee to Afghan World Cup star

Groomed on dusty pitches as a refugee, record-breaking Rashid Khan will face his toughest examination yet at the World Cup, with former coaches confident the Afghan can "dismantle" top batting line-ups.

The world's top-rated Twenty20 bowler from the war-torn nation last year made history as the fastest to reach 100 one-day international wickets.


Aged just 20, and after a remarkable cricket upbringing shaped by years of conflict and displacement, Khan will on Saturday make his World Cup debut against defending champions Australia.

"I am sure he will dismantle the best in the World Cup," said his former school coach Ali Hoti of his former charge, who is also third in the International Cricket Council ODI rankings.

"He is the bowler to watch in the event."

Afghanistan cricket is a rare source of pride in the conflict-riven country, where murals of Khan and teammates adorn the maze of concrete blast walls criss-crossing the capital Kabul.

Born in the restive Nangarhar province in 1998, Khan's family joined the waves of refugees flooding across the Pakistani border, fleeing the bloody battles that followed the US invasion in 2001 and the war with the Taliban.

It was in Pakistan's bustling frontier city of Peshawar that Khan began playing cricket and he grew up to idolise fellow Pashtun slugger and great Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

Coaches in the area took notice of the raw talent of the developing athlete, who had plenty of skill but was lacking focus.

"He was God-gifted but he was not very hard-working," remembered Lala Ali Shafiq, who coached Rashid at the city's Islamia academy.

- Unique bowling action -

"There was no doubt that he was a very talented bowler and a better batsman."

Islamia College assistant director of sports Hoti described how a young Khan caught the eye of senior Afghanistan players including the captain at the time, Mohammad Nabi, and Nawroz Mangal.

"In 2013/14, he went to play a tournament in Islamabad and impressed with his bowling," said Hoti.

"Nabi was there so I told him that since you are looking for an all-rounder, you won't find a better all-rounder than him," he added. "Initially they did not agree."

But Khan went on to prove them wrong, making his Afghanistan debut on the tour of Zimbabwe in 2015 as he developed his wicket-taking armoury, which relies less on prodigious spin but more on his unusual bowling action, with disguised googlies, subtle variation and changes of pace to keep batsmen guessing.

He reached 100 wickets in his 44th ODI, shattering Australia seamer Mitchell Starc's previous record, achieved in 52 matches.

"Rashid's action is unique," said Shafiq, whose academy has also helped develop Pakistan players such Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

"It's different, so it's hard to judge and he also has a good googly and has worked on his leg-break. He works hard and is getting better."

More For You

Indian tennis searches for answers after dismal 2024

Sumit Nagal

Indian tennis searches for answers after dismal 2024

Eastern Eye

DISILLUSIONED players declined national duty and their governing body grappled with infighting as Indian tennis struggled to stay afloat in a largely disappointing 2024.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the players being at loggerheads was not a new development. But the striking part was the lack of transparency in decision-making and nearly non-existent effort to address the concerns of the players.

Keep ReadingShow less
Devajit-Saikia-Getty

Saikia's cricketing background includes a brief stint as a wicketkeeper-batter for Assam, scoring 53 runs in four first-class matches during the 1990–91 season. (Photo: Getty Images)

Devajit Saikia: From lawyer to India's next cricket chief

Devajit Saikia is set to take charge as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), one of the wealthiest and most influential governing bodies in global sports.

Saikia, a lawyer with a modest cricketing career, was the only nominee for the role and is expected to be confirmed at a BCCI members' meeting in Mumbai on Sunday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anahat-Singh-Getty

In 2022, the Delhi-based player became the youngest Indian athlete to participate in the Commonwealth Games. (Photo: Getty Images)

India's Anahat Singh wins U-17 British Junior Open squash title

INDIA's squash talent Anahat Singh secured the U-17 title at the British Junior Open on Monday with a hard-fought victory over Egypt's Malika El Karaksy in Birmingham.

The 16-year-old top seed staged a comeback to defeat the second-seeded El Karaksy in five games, with scores of 4-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3.

Keep ReadingShow less
afg-vs-eng-getty

England's men's ODI team is scheduled to play Afghanistan in Lahore on February 26. (Photo: Getty Images)

Politicians urge ECB to boycott match against Afghanistan

OVER 160 British politicians have called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to boycott their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan next month as a stand against the Taliban regime's restrictions on women's rights.

The Taliban’s return to power in 2021 has effectively banned female participation in sports, a move that violates the International Cricket Council's (ICC) regulations. Despite this, Afghanistan continues to compete in international cricket.

Keep ReadingShow less
Australia-Sydney-Test-Getty

The result ensured Australia’s place in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June, where they will face South Africa. (Photo: Getty Images)

Australia beat India in fifth Test to secure spot in WTC final

AUSTRALIA defeated India by six wickets in the fifth Test in Sydney on Sunday, securing a 3-1 series victory and a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The win also marked Australia’s first Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph since 2014-15.

India resumed on the third morning at 141-6 but managed to add only 16 runs before being bowled out for 157. Scott Boland, who played a pivotal role throughout the match, finished with figures of 6-45, taking 10 wickets in the game.

Keep ReadingShow less