Notwithstanding his hamstring troubles, Rashid Khan was aware that his input would “be the key” to his team’s unlikely series victory over South Africa. He reasoned that if he could “stay in the field till the end, why not, I should go for it” in some way. He took a risk and succeeded in finishing with figures of 9-1-19-5, which allowed Afghanistan to defeat South Africa and win their first series against a side in the top five of the ICC rankings.
After the crushing 177-run victory was secured in Sharjah, Rashid remarked, “I got a hamstring [injury], I had it a month before as well, quite unlucky but I tried my best to stay on the ground till the end, tried my best to do for the team as much as I can.” “Big opportunity for us as a team you know, to win the series against a big team and that’s what I had in my mind: my contribution will be the key so I have to go and stay till the end.”
Rashid has recently had a lot of injury struggles. He was forced to miss the last week of the August Hundred due to hamstring strain. After returning home to play in the Shpageeza Cricket League, Afghanistan’s official T20 league, he developed a back ache. Later, he washed out of the one-off Test match against New Zealand. Since the 2023 ODI World Cup in India in November of last year, he hasn’t played in either of the two lengthier formats of cricket until this ODI series. Rashid had back surgery following the World Cup, and he was completely out for four months.
Rashid’s hamstring problems returned while he was batting on Friday, his 26th birthday. He came out in the 47th over, ran a two off the first ball, and required the physio’s care right away. Still, he kept at it, reaching six runs without a hit out of twelve. Would he return to bowling, though?
“We had a big opportunity to win a series against South Africa and I think the love for this game is just pushing you to play, doesn’t matter how [hard] it is and I thought I’m able to play, I’m able to bowl, I’m able to stay in the field till the end, why not, I should go for it,” Rashid stated. “Good job done by the physio as well, to get me ready and deliver for the team.”
With half-centurion Rahmat Shah leaving the pitch in the 21st over due to what appeared to be cramping at the moment, Afghanistan had one more injury concern for the evening. That turned out to be a hamstring issue as well. However, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed optimism that it is not too serious.
“I spoke with him, hopefully he will play in the next game,” Shahidi remarked during the post-game press conference. “But before that also I think he was not feeling good, hamstring happened to him, hopefully he will be okay and play the other game.”
Also Read: ‘I have to go and stay till the end’ – Rashid Khan confesses selecting fifer despite hamstring strain against South Africa
Afghanistan has won the series 2-0, but they still have a third game to play on Sunday in Sharjah. They then have a little hiatus before their next scheduled cricket match, which is currently an all-format tour to Zimbabwe in December or January.
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