Johannesburg [South Africa], February 8 (ANI): Afghanistan star spinner Rashid Khan, at present representing MI Cape City in SA20, mentioned that changing into the main wicket-taker in T20s offers him loads of satisfaction and is aiming to the touch the 1,000 wicket-mark within the format.
Rashid was talking forward of the SA20 remaining between MI Cape City and two-time champions Sunrisers Jap Cape (SEC). Throughout the ongoing league, he overtook West Indies legend Dwayne Bravo to change into the highest wicket-taker within the shortest format of the sport with 633 scalps. He completed this feat throughout MI Cape City’s Qualifier One match in opposition to Paarl Royals at Gqerberha.
Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Rashid mentioned that changing into the top-wicket taker in T20s offers him “unbelievable satisfaction”.
“Particularly once I have a look at my profession, it isn’t that lengthy, the place I really feel like, say I performed 15-20 years and this report has been damaged and it’s beneath my title now. It’s simply 9 years. And that’s how lengthy DJ Bravo held that report for (eight years). However it’s a huge, huge achievement for me as a result of if I look again in 2014-15, I by no means ever thought that I’ll play T20 Internationals and (franchise) leagues all around the globe. I by no means ever had that in my thoughts. I’ll solely strive my greatest to proceed (rising) and make it as larger as potential,” he mentioned.
Rashid mentioned that he spoke to Bravo after his report was damaged and the West Indies legend was extraordinarily completely happy that the Afghanistan star overtook him.
“He was so completely happy and mentioned: “(I do know) you’re the one who (would) break this report. You completely deserve all this.” He has all the time been very supportive and we had some nice instances and in (2024) T20 World Cup as properly when he was Afghanistan bowling coach,” he added.
On taking 1,000 T20 wickets, Rashid mentioned that it could be huge to achieve there and if he expressed confidence that if he manages to remain match for at the least three and the half years extra, he might get there.
“That’s the goal (breaching the 1000-wicket barrier). It’ll be huge to get 1000 wickets. Yeah, if I’m match and I’m doing properly, that’s one thing which might be a greatest achievement to take: 1000 wickets in T20s. And I can solely simply give it some thought, how good it could be and the way it is going to be to have these 4 digits of wickets. That’s one thing which goes to be unbelievable. However sure, hopefully, hopefully I’m match. I really feel like if I proceed to play the cricket I’ve been enjoying subsequent three-and a-half-to-four years, I really feel like I can get there,” mentioned the spinner.
Talking on his high spells from his T20 profession, Rashid named three spells, with the primary one being the spell of 4/23 in opposition to Bangladesh in final 12 months’s T20 World Cup whereas defending 115, which helped his facet seal a spot in semifinals for the primary time ever. His two different spells have been from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Large Bash League (BBL).
“Sure, I received 4 wickets in opposition to New Zealand (4 for 17) as properly in the identical World Cup, however that was completely different recreation and this was completely different recreation. In opposition to Bangladesh, I’m defending solely 115, which was a troublesome state of affairs therefore I felt that’s the reason it is a little bit greater. One other is in opposition to KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) in IPL 2018 in Qualifier 2 (3 for 19) which completely modified the sport. The opposite I received 6 for 17 for Adelaide Strikers in BBL as a result of bowling in Australia is one thing tougher,” he added.
He additionally known as Afghanistan reaching the semifinals of T20 WC final 12 months, the place they misplaced to South Africa, as one of many “greatest moments of my profession”.
“And I nonetheless really feel and I nonetheless take into consideration that match. How we have been (so) close to to the ultimate, we might have performed the ultimate. I nonetheless really feel so unhealthy each time I do not forget that day that I believed if it was a greater wicket, each groups might have performed a lot, significantly better and it could’ve been the most effective video games for us as a workforce. that floor (in Tarouba), we got here two, thrice for apply and we cancelled the apply due to the wickets. (ANI)
