Afghan’s Rashid yearns to play Tests
new delhi — Rashid Khan has set the Indian Premier League alight just two matches into his maiden season, and while he is enjoying the cut and thrust of the lucrative Twenty20 competition the teenage Afghan spinner says playing Test cricket is his ultimate dream.
Sunrisers Hyderabad raised eyebrows by splurging $620,780 in February’s auction to land the unheralded leg-spinner from Afghanistan, where cricket is highly popular but sporting facilities are pitifully inadequate after decades of war. However, Hyderabad had clearly done their homework as Rashid grabbed the top wickettaker’s ‘purple cap’ on Sunday after his 3 for 19 set up a comprehensive win over Gujarat Lions.
Rashid is the first Afghan to play in the IPL and while he is enjoying his time in the limelight he has not lost sight of his longterm goals.
“The target is to play Test cricket for my country,” the 18-yearold told Reuters in a telephone interview before the game against Gujarat. “That’s my main target, to be called a Test cricketer.”
Afghanistan are knocking on the door of Test cricket after beating Ireland in last month’s ICC Intercontinental Cup and Rashid said it would be “wonderful” to play a five-day match.
Associate teams do not play Test cricket but Afghanistan’s steady progress has boosted their chances of joining ‘Full Members’ like India and Australia in that elite club. —