Afghanistan’s star cricketer Rashid Khan is a global superstar in the world of cricket. Rashid is probably the greatest cricketer ever to have emerged from Afghanistan and deserves a lot of credit for bringing his country onto the cricketing map.
However, former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has made a bold statement recently by calling Rashid Khan greater than the legendary Wasim Akram. Latif hailed Rashid’s exceptional skills and claimed that the Afghan legspinner’s stature was even bigger than Akram’s.
Rashid Khan termed “greater than Wasim Akram” by Rashid Latif
During a conversation on a show called “Hasna Mana Hai” on Geo News, Rashid Latif gave a bold statement on Rashid Khan by claiming that the legspinner helped Afghanistan gain global recognition. He even went to the extent of calling Rashid Khan greater than Pakistan’s legendary left-arm pacer Wasim Akram.
“Rashid (Khan) has brought Afghanistan on the map, he has helped them get recognition. He is greater than Wasim Akram. I am sorry to say but Rashid’s stature is bigger,” the former Pakistan wicketkeeper said on the talk show.
It is a colossal statement given Wasim Akram’s stature and his contributions to the cricketing world. Akram is still regarded as one of the best cricketers to have emerged from Pakistan as he achieved almost everything in the sport.
Wasim Akram played 104 Tests and 356 ODIs for Pakistan. The left-arm fast bowler picked up 414 wickets at an average of 23.62 in Tests and 502 wickets at an average of 23.52 in ODIs. After his career as a player, he has taken over various roles in coaching as well as the commentator and cricket expert.
“Improve your test team” – Rashid Latif to Rashid Khan
While speaking in the same conversation, Rashid Latif also advised the Afghan legspinner to help in improving Test cricket in Afghanistan. He even called for more no. of Test matches between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the future.
“I have only one piece of advice for Rashid Khan. ‘Improve your test team and play more Test matches against Pakistan,’” Latif added.
Afghanistan are still a new Test-playing nation. They were given the status of being a Test-playing nation in 2018 alongside Ireland. They have played 11 Tests so far with 4 wins and 6 defeats with a winning percentage of 36.36.
Recently, they defeated Zimbabwe in the two-match Test series 1-0 earlier this year. Rashid played a key role in Afghanistan’s win with exceptional figures of 4-94 and 7-66 across the two innings of the match.
Key to Afghanistan’s Champions Trophy campaign
Rashid will be vital to Afghanistan’s campaign in the upcoming Champions Trophy. On pitches that are likely to assist spin, he will be a big threat to the opposition. While he is a skillful legspinner, he is also a capable batter down the order.
Afghanistan have been drawn in Group B of the Champions Trophy along with Australia, England, and South Africa. they will begin their campaign against South Africa in Karachi on February 21.