ICC World Cup 2019: Rashid Khan Will Dismantle the Best – Ali Hoti
Jun 1, 2019 at 10:33 AM
Afghanistan Cricket has risen with the inclusion of one of the best leg-spin bowler. Rashid Khan became an indispensable ration for Afghanistan’s cricket team. Not only that, the young allrounder has cashed the rich Indian Premier League becoming one of the highest wicket-takers. Rashid’s school mentor, Ali Hoti believes that he’ll definitely dismantle the best in the World Cup ahead of their clash against Australia on Saturday.
Afghanistan will open their tournament on Saturday against Australia. Australia is predicted as the toughest defenders of the tournament. However, this opening clash is going to be an interesting one as Australia will need to face Rashid Khan.
Meanwhile, Rashid’s school coach believes that he will a bowler to be watched out in this World Cup.
“I am sure he will dismantle the best in the World Cup,” said his former school coach Ali Hoti.
“He is the bowler to watch in the event,” added the coach.
However, toughed-up in rough patches of Pakistan as a refugee, Rashid will have his biggest test in the match against Australia. Aged 20, Rashid broke the world record of Australia’s Mitchell Starc in his 44th ODI. He completed the fastest 100 wickets in just 44 matches, while seamer Starc had the record of completing it in 52 matches.
Rashid’s former coach, Ali Shafiq regarded him as a talented bowler and batsman
The top-ranked T20 spinner had quite a difficult path to climb to the current position. However, Rashid is one of the best leg-spinners at present. He brings forth a variety of googlies outnumbering leg-spinners at the table. Lala Ali Shafiq, who coached Rashid at the Islamia academy, thinks Rashid has a very unique action style and it sets him apart from other bowlers. He has also been a mentor of players such Usman Shinwari, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi
“Rashid’s action is unique,” said Shafiq. “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,” he added.
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.”
As Rashid kept building up his wicket-taking armour, he became an important part of the Afghanistan cricket team. In the opening clash against Australia, the team will be majorly relying on him to snatch the important wickets of the Australian batters.