Rashid Khan has been a consistent performer for his nation this whole season that led him to be the first one from his nation to play for IPL. He was the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 wickets from 14 games as he put in a magnificent show. But that didn’t end there!
Rashid Khan destroyed the West Indies batting line-up with outstanding figures of seven for 18 to bowl Afghanistan to a stunning 63-run victory in the opening fixture of a three-match ODI series at the Darren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia on Friday. The leg-spinner picked up 7/18, his best haul ever in ODIs.
Rashid reaped the West Indies batting line-up, removing Jason Mohammed and debutant Roston Chase with his first two deliveries and then repeating that at the start of his second over in pricing out top scorer Shai Hope (35) and captain Jason Holder. Ashley Nurse was quickly sent back by a googly that gave Rashid his second five-for in ODIs. The upset was sealed in the 45th over, fittingly with another Rashid googly, making a history for this young bowler.
Rashid’s figures of 7/18 are the fourth best figures in the history of ODI cricket. Chaminda Vaas’ haul of 8/19 against Zimbabwe is on top of the list, followed by Shahid Afridi’s haul of 7/12 against West Indies and Glenn McGrath’s 7/15 against Namibia.
Afghanistan had won on four previous occasions when Khan had picked up four wickets or more.
“I have worked hard on my bowling and this was a really special effort for the people of Afghanistan who have suffered so much in the past week,” said Khan on receiving the “Man of the Match” award and acknowledging the devastating truck bombing that killed more than 150 people in Kabul last week, an attack that has sparked anti-government protests.
“West Indies are a big team and to achieve this against them is brilliant.”