Rashid Khan: “It’s Going to Be Massive to Get 1000 Wickets”
At just 26 years old, Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan wristspinner, has already carved his name into the cricketing history books. After surpassing Dwayne Bravo to become the leading wicket-taker in T20s, Rashid has set his sights on an even loftier goal — becoming the first-ever player to take 1000 wickets in T20 cricket.
In an exclusive interview with ESPNcricinfo, conducted on the eve of the SA20 final where he is leading MI Cape Town, Rashid spoke about his rapid rise in international cricket, his thoughts on the future, and how he plans to stay ahead of the game in a format dominated by batters.
Achieving Success in a Batting-Dominated Era
Rashid’s achievement of becoming the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket is a massive milestone, especially in a format widely considered to be batting-friendly. He reflected on how quickly his career has unfolded, saying, “If I look back in 2014-15, I never ever thought that I will play T20 Internationals and (franchise) leagues all around the world.” The Afghanistan leg-spinner, who has played only for nine years, never imagined he would one day break records held by the likes of DJ Bravo, who had dominated the T20 bowling charts for over eight years.
It’s a remarkable achievement, considering that at the end of 2016, just his second year in competitive cricket, Rashid had only 38 wickets, while Bravo had already set the T20 wickets record with 367. Fast forward to the end of 2024, and Rashid has amassed 622 wickets, with Bravo retiring last year. To put things into perspective, Rashid’s wickets since his debut have been more than double those of the next best bowler in the same period.
A Conversation with DJ Bravo
When Rashid broke Bravo’s long-standing record, Bravo reached out to him with a message of congratulations. Rashid shared, “He was so happy and said: ‘(I know) you are the one who (would) break this record. You totally deserve all this.'” Bravo’s supportive nature and encouragement have played a significant role in Rashid’s growth as a bowler.
Wicket-Taking Mindset: A Key to Success
Rashid attributes his success not just to talent but to his disciplined approach towards his craft. He has maintained a simple but effective mantra: “Bowling in the right areas.” He explains that sticking to his strength is what has made him successful. For Rashid, it’s all about targeting specific spots on the pitch, something he learned early on. “As soon as you start bowling here and here (away from the intended spot), maybe it becomes easier for them (batters),” he said.
For Rashid, maintaining a wicket-taking mindset is essential, every ball he bowls. “Every ball I’m bowling I want to take wickets. I want to bowl the best ball, I want to put the batter in trouble. As soon as you have that in the mind, wickets will come,” he shares.
This mentality is evident in his performances, where he consistently delivers under pressure. Rashid also mentions that in addition to accuracy and consistency, he tries to vary his pace and grips, which adds variety to his bowling.
The Role of Training Tools: Bottle Tops for Accuracy
An interesting part of Rashid’s training involves the use of bottle tops. These small objects are used to help him fine-tune his accuracy. “Yes, sometimes when I face a bit of a challenge, when I’m not hitting the right areas consistently, I bring them (bottle tops),” Rashid says. “In longer formats like ODI and Test cricket, it helps me to maintain the rhythm and consistency.”
Big Moments in Rashid’s T20 Career
Rashid has had several standout performances in his career, but a few, in particular, stand out to him. One of the most memorable was his 4 for 23 against Bangladesh in the 2024 T20 World Cup, defending just 115 runs. “That was a very crucial spell for me,” he says. He also highlights his 6 for 17 in the Big Bash League for the Adelaide Strikers in 2024 as another significant achievement, noting that bowling in Australian conditions is particularly challenging.
Rashid’s Future Ambition: The 1000-Wicket Milestone
At just 26, Rashid Khan is on the cusp of an extraordinary achievement in T20 cricket. With a current tally of 622 wickets, he is eyeing the record of 1000 wickets, a milestone that would be a massive achievement in the cricketing world.
“I feel like if I (continue to) play the cricket I’ve been playing in the next three-and-a-half-to-four years, I feel like I can get there,” he says with optimism.
To reach this remarkable mark, Rashid believes that maintaining fitness will be crucial. He is determined to keep pushing himself and believes that if he remains injury-free and keeps his performance level high, he will have a good chance of reaching 1000 wickets in the next four years.
The Evolution of T20 Cricket: The Role of Fast Bowlers and Spinners
While spin bowling has played a prominent role in T20 cricket, Rashid believes that fast bowlers still have a crucial part to play, especially at the death overs. “I still feel in the last few overs, you can still manage to hit one or two boundaries off the spinner in an over unless it’s a very, very, very slow wicket and/or a turning wicket,” he says. He argues that the beauty of T20 cricket lies in its variety and the skills of fast bowlers, such as the use of slower balls, yorkers, and reverse swing.
Sticking with MI: A Familiar Set-Up
Rashid currently plays for MI Cape Town in the SA20, and also represents other MI franchises in the ILT20 and MLC. While he plays for multiple franchises across various leagues, Rashid sees value in sticking to one franchise in the future. “It makes it so easy for you. You already know the set-up, the management, the environment,” he says, adding that it helps him to quickly adjust and start performing right away.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Career
With his remarkable achievements already, Rashid Khan is on track to be one of the most successful and influential cricketers in the history of T20 cricket. The prospect of reaching 1000 wickets would be a monumental feat, and Rashid is confident that with his fitness and consistent approach to the game, he can reach this incredible milestone.
As he continues to lead MI Cape Town in the SA20 and takes on other leagues across the world, Rashid Khan remains one of the most exciting and successful leg spinners in the modern game. His journey from a promising young talent to a global cricketing icon is one that continues to inspire cricketers everywhere.
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