I thought it was a common knowledge know that Rashid Khan has mostly played against associate teams and lower ranked full members. So naturally, most of his wickets have come against these sides.
I am not here to argue about who is better than whom, but I will try to explain the impact he has had on Afghan cricket, which some fans need to understand.
Between 2010 and 2015, Afghanistan showed some signs of improvement. However, many associate teams have demonstrated that progress but failed to reach the next level . In 2015, Afghanistan participated in the T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. 14 teams competed for six spots. Afghanistan qualified but they weren’t dominating and finished in 5th place. They were among the best associates, but at that time, the Netherlands, Scotland, and Ireland were stronger.
Then Rashid Khan arrived. He completely changed the landscape. No other player in the last 10-15 years from full member teams or even top tier associates has been as vital to a team like Rashid has been for Afghanistan. From the mid to late 2010s, Afghanistan were hugely dependent on him. Thanks to him, Afghan cricket reached the next level. They gained Test status, players started receiving T20 league contracts and the cricketing world began to take Afghanistan seriously.
Rashid wasn't just performing; he was bowling during the most critical phases of the innings. Afghanistan overtook Ireland and Zimbabwe. They whitewashed Bangladesh in 2018, and in the World Cup Qualifiers, they won the tournament by defeating the West Indies in the final. He was used like Malinga or Bumrah in the death overs during those days. He was taking wickets, being economical and turning matches in Afghanistan’s favour.
At the same time, more Afghan players emerged and strengthened the team. Mujeeb Zadran and Noor Ahmad strengthened the spin attack, Nabi remained a reliable allrounder, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided stability with the bat, and Azmatullah Omarzai emerged as a handy allrounder. This group made Afghanistan an even better side. Them beating teams like West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan is now no longer an upset. Except for India, whom they have tied a couple of times, Afghanistan has now defeated every major team at least once.
Some say Rashid hasn’t performed well against top teams. Yes, he has taken 39 wickets in 32 matches against elite sides, which may not seem extraordinary. But his average is 21.69, and his economy rate is 6.82. These are excellent numbers. They are better than those of Adam Zampa, Adil Rashid and Mitchell Santner, who are all highly rated spinners.
Rashid has also become a star in T20 leagues. Some say T20 leagues don’t matter much. Maybe not for India, Pakistan or SENA nations. Unlike big players from strong nations, he had a lot to prove. If he had failed, cricket fans would have dismissed him as just another player from a minnows’ team. But he performed spectacularly in every league, opening doors for other Afghan cricketers. Today, Afghan players are in high demand in leagues, sometimes even more than players from top cricketing nations.
And for those who argue that Rashid hasn’t faced top teams enough so their batters are not accustomed to his bowling; they should understand one thing. In leagues, he gets to bowl to the best batters from top teams. They have faced him plenty of times, and he has been consistent for a long period.
