“I still feel a pull to Peshawar. My heart wants to go back and see the grounds where I played. In those days, I never imagined that so soon I’d be standing on this stage,” says Rashid Khan, captain of Afghanistan and one of the most valuable cricketers in the world.
The leg-spinner has cemented his credentials as a modern-day cricketing great, moving to the top of the Men’s T20I wicket list in Afghanistan’s victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Sharjah on Monday night.
The leg-spinner once again led the way for his country, playing a key role in causing an Emirati middle-order collapse, taking 3 for 11 in 4 overs in the 38-run win and overtaking New Zealand quick Tim Southee to move to 165 wickets in the format.
Early life in exile
Born in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, on 20 September 1998, Rashid Khan Arman was the sixth of eleven siblings.
His childhood was shaped by war, displacement, and survival. Like millions of Afghans, his family fled the conflict and lived for several years in Peshawar, Pakistan.
In Pakistan, Rashid grew up in modest surroundings, far removed from the riches of global cricket.
“At home, I wasn’t even allowed to play cricket, but I found a way.”
Inside the walls of their ground in Peshawar, Rashid began experimenting with a taped tennis ball.
His whippy, fast-arm action evolved on concrete strips, producing skiddy deliveries that baffled even his brothers.
“Once my brother added extra tape to slow me down, but still I got past him,” Rashid laughs.
The reluctant cricketer
Rashid’s family wanted him to focus on education and medicine, but his fascination with bat and ball only deepened.
He attended school in Peshawar, later returning to Afghanistan, where his cricketing journey accelerated.
“International cricket was never in my mind,” he admits. “Every cricketer dreams of it, but I never thought it would happen to me.”
The breakthrough
In 2014, Afghanistan’s national team toured Pakistan, and Rashid’s performances in local matches caught the eye of selectors.
Under the mentorship of former Pakistan greats like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Rashid soon broke into the national side.
At just 17, he made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in October 2015. His sharp leg-breaks, quicker googlies, and relentless accuracy stunned opponents. Within two years, he was ranked among the world’s top T20 bowlers.
Master of the T20 arena
Rashid’s bowling style, rapid through the air, with multiple grips and variations—made him one of the most difficult bowlers in T20 cricket.
Across formats, he has collected more than 350 international wickets, including five Tests, nearly 100 ODIs, and over 100 T20Is.
At 20, he also became the youngest ever Test captain, a remarkable feat for someone once denied permission to play cricket at home.
Franchise fame
While international cricket gave him recognition, franchise cricket made him a superstar. Rashid became a household name in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he starred for Sunrisers Hyderabad and later Gujarat Titans, helping them lift the 2022 title.
In Pakistan’s Super League, he was a key performer for Lahore Qalandars, contributing to their back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023.
“For me, Rashid is humble and selfless. He always puts the team first,” says Sameen Rana, COO of Lahore Qalandars.
His IPL contracts alone have earned him over a million dollars per season, a world away from his days in rented homes in Peshawar.
Leading Afghanistan’s Golden Generation
The defining moment came at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Under Rashid’s leadership, Afghanistan stormed into their first-ever semi-final.
He led from the front: 4-17 against New Zealand, 1-23 against Australia, and 4-23 with a vital cameo of 19 not out against Bangladesh.
His passion was unmistakable. In one match, frustrated over a missed run, he even threw his bat towards teammate Karim Janat, a glimpse of the fire that drives him.
But the fairytale run symbolised Afghanistan’s rise: fearless, disciplined, and unyielding.
Beyond Cricket
For Afghans, Rashid Khan is more than a cricketer. He represents resilience and hope in a country scarred by decades of conflict.
Young boys in Nangarhar, Kabul, and refugee camps now imitate his bowling action, believing that dreams can be realised.
“I never thought I’d play international cricket,” Rashid reflects. “But the prayers of my parents and hard work made it possible. Cricket is a blessing, and I try to honour it every day.”
From concrete strips in Peshawar to global stadiums, Rashid Khan’s journey is one of survival, identity, and triumph. His story reminds the world that even in exile, greatness can be born.
