Rashid tops list of best T20 players in past 25 years

KABUL (Pajhwok): Veteran leggie and Afghanistan T20 skipper Rashid Khan has been ranked first among the top 25 players in the shortest format over the past 25 years.

The cricket website Cricinfo, following a detailed research, identified the 25 greatest T20 cricketers from 2000 to 2025, placing Rashid Khan at the top of the list.

Cricinfo analysed Rashid Khan’s T20 career, highlighting his impact on match results, his performances in various franchise leagues and comparing his bowling to that of celebrated leg-spinners in cricket history.

The report lists 25 leading players in the T20 format, of which only five are specialist bowlers. Rashid was ranked first among them due to his extraordinary skill and record-breaking achievements.

It offers multiple analyses of Rashid’s bowling style, comparing him to Pakistan’s Abdul Qadir, Australia’s Shane Warne and India’s Anil Kumble.

In terms of pace, his bowling is likened to that of Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, the West Indies’ Samuel Badree and South Africa’s Imran Tahir.

Cricinfo noted that Rashid’s strike rate was under 17, meaning he takes a wicket every 17 deliveries on average. His economy rate is below seven, indicating he concedes fewer than seven runs per over – an exceptional record in T20 cricket.

Rashid, who currently leads Afghanistan’s national T20 side, is also playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

kk/mud