Rashid represents new Afghanistan: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani has congratulated Afghan spin sensation Rashid Khan on winning ICC Men’s T20I Player of the Decade award.

Rashid Khan was declared the Men’s T20l Cricketer of the Decade by the International Cricket Council on Monday.

He was also listed among the “ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Decade.”

“I am pleased and honored to extend my heartiest felicitations to our cricket star and prolific spinner Rashid Khan for being declared as (ICC) Men’s T20I Player of the Decade 2011 – 2020,” Ghani said in a statement.

“On behalf of the Afghan government, I once again congratulate Rashid Khan on creating history and wish him further success and achievements,” the president added.

Rashid Khan and other male and female youngsters are roll models representing the new Afghanistan, according to Ghani.

“Young men and women are a clear voice and image of a free and prosperous Afghanistan, representing their nation in various sports arenas; they share the true voice, strong will, lofty values and aspirations of the Afghan people with the world.

“I believe the young generation of Afghanistan is moving forward responsibly in every section of society, and with their achievements and heroism, they are enlightening the eyes of our people.”

On his achievement, Rashid Khan said: “I am speechless after this award and happy for my fans. For someone from Afghanistan to get this award, it’s a special moment for me,”

Rashid, born on September 20, 1998, in eastern Nangarhar province, made his One Day International (ODI) debut on Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe in October 2015.

A year and a half later, during the tour of Zimbabwe in February 2017, he fetched the highest-ever bid for an Associate Player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

Given his bowling action, leg-break googly and batting style, the website wrote, “He was snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for $597,000.”

Rashid shined quickly for the Afghanistan team. Not a big turner of the ball, he puts batsmen under constant pressure.

Domestically, he is a productive force for the Kabul Eagles franchise. He parlayed his success from a superb first season with Sunrisers in 2017 and he joined Australia Big Bash’s Adelaide Strikers team.

In January 2018, Rashid’s status as a global superstar was cemented when he became Afghanistan’s first IPL millionaire after Sunrisers reclaimed him $ 1.4 million.

Khan is currently playing in the Australia league as well as for several other sides.

sa/mud

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