Afghanistan cricket is on the rise, says Rashid Khan

The presence of Afghanistan players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to grow, with six players set to feature in the 2025 season. Karim Janat and Allah Ghazanfar are the latest additions, with Mumbai Indians acquiring the mystery spinner Ghazanfar for INR 4.8 crore during the mega auction.

Following the successful auction, Afghanistan’s prominent leg-spinner Rashid Khan expressed his enthusiasm about the increasing recognition of Afghan players in the league. Speaking from the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi T10, where he represents the Bangla Tigers, Rashid shared his thoughts on the significance of the IPL for Afghan cricket.

“It’s great news for Afghanistan cricket to have more players in the IPL,” Rashid remarked. “The IPL is the biggest league in the world. It’s just the beginning for the players back home. It’s good to see how they are getting into that space and making a place for themselves. This shows that Afghanistan cricket is growing and I’m so happy and excited to see all of them play in the tournament.”

Rashid also discussed the challenges faced by spinners in the T10 format, noting the aggressive approach of batters and the difficulties in achieving spin with a new ball. “T10 certainly is a difficult format for the spinners. The batters are always looking to attack. Moreover, the ball is also new, so it becomes challenging to get the turn. But you have to put your best foot forward and bowl in the right areas.”

He continued, “You have a good boundary size and also the ground, and the wicket is a little bit supportive. If you have the skills, you can come and perform. It’s just the matter of one delivery and you can dismiss a batter,” he concluded, highlighting the potential for success despite the format’s challenges. Rashid’s optimism reflects the growing stature of Afghan cricket on the international stage, particularly in high-profile tournaments like the IPL.