Rashid Khan journey to becoming a multi-millionaire cricket superstar began in the most desperate of circumstances—as a refugee living in the Pakistani city of Peshawar. Now, as an in-demand franchise cricketer known for his leg-spin prowess, the 25-year-old Afghanistan captain stands just two wins away from the T20 World Cup title.
Rashid’s family fled the war in Afghanistan, seeking refuge in Pakistan. Settling in Peshawar, Rashid and his family—he is one of 11 children—escaped the turmoil of their homeland. His parents had owned a tire company in Nangarhar province. In Peshawar, Rashid was educated and introduced to cricket, a sport that would change his life.
His sports teacher, Ali Hoti, who coached him during his formative years, recognized Rashid’s exceptional talent early on. “Rashid has a blessed right hand with which he bowls world-class deliveries,” Hoti told AFP. “His focus, commitment, and talent were exemplary, and he is now a role model across the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Hoti recalls Rashid’s unassuming demeanor and immense potential. During cricket trials at Islamia College in Peshawar, where Rashid studied computer science, his talent was evident. “During cricket trials, we saw huge talent in Rashid, so we got him admission in computer science. He was a good student as well, and that was the start of his career in 2013,” said Hoti.
Rashid quickly made an impact, scoring a century in a local match and leading his team to the collegiate final. Initially recognized for his batting, Rashid later honed his leg-break bowling skills, earning success with his focused approach and game awareness. His big break came when former Pakistani cricketers Rashid Latif, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Kabir Khan coached the Afghan national team, providing him with the opportunity to showcase his talent on a bigger stage.
Since making his international debut in 2015, Rashid has played almost 200 one-day internationals and T20 matches, alongside five Test matches. Although his Test debut against India in 2018 was challenging, his overall performance has been stellar, with a total of 369 wickets to his name. He also became the youngest-ever Test captain at just 20 years old.
In franchise cricket, Rashid’s achievements are equally impressive. He played a crucial role in Gujarat Titans’ IPL title win in 2023 and guided Lahore Qalandars to consecutive titles in the Pakistan Super League in 2022 and 2023. Sameen Rana, the chief operating officer of Qalandars, praised Rashid as a “team man,” highlighting his humility and selflessness. “For me, Rashid is not only humble but the most selfless person, and his work ethic is next level as he never shies away from putting in an extra yard for the team. For him, the team comes first,” said Rana.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Rashid’s leadership and performance have been pivotal. Afghanistan’s victory over New Zealand in the first round secured their place in the Super Eights, followed by a stunning win against former champions Australia. Rashid’s standout performances include taking 4-17 against New Zealand and 1-23 against Australia. His best came against Bangladesh, where he took 4-23 and scored 19 not out off just 10 balls, securing Afghanistan a semifinal spot for the first time.
Rashid’s aggressive captaincy has not spared his own players. In a nail-biting win over Bangladesh, he famously threw his bat towards Karim Janat for refusing a second run, highlighting his intense drive for success. As Rashid Khan leads Afghanistan into the semifinals, his journey from a refugee camp to cricket stardom serves as an inspiring testament to his resilience and dedication.
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By- Sahiba Suri