Cricket

Gujarat Titans' star spinner Rashid Khan has revealed the arduous journey he endured after undergoing back surgery following the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Despite being advised by doctors to undergo surgery before the tournament, Khan opted to delay it to represent his country."I had to play in the World Cup. I cannot say no to the World Cup," Khan said.To manage the pain, Khan took injections before the tournament. However, his condition worsened after Afghanistan's victory over Pakistan."I could not sleep. I would sleep only at four or five in the morning at times. The only way I could sleep was by taking sleeping tablets and painkillers," he recalled.During the final three matches of the World Cup, Khan played at a mere 40% fitness, relying on painkillers to keep going. His back issues affected his bending and caused pain down to his shins.After the tournament, Khan underwent surgery. The doctor informed him that a failed surgery could end his career, leaving him anxious."I was so tense the whole night before the surgery. I didn't tell my family that I was having surgery," he said.Following the surgery, Khan experienced relief from pain but was eager to return to the game. He thanked the Gujarat Titans staff, particularly Ashish Nehra and Naeem Amin, for their support during his recovery.However, the surgery has impacted his bowling, particularly his wrong'un. Khan consulted with the franchise's video analyst, Sandeep Raju, who identified that he was not hitting his lengths correctly."I am just using the fingers. There is nothing wrong with my back, but I only had this fear in my mind: what if the injury resurfaced?" Khan explained.After spot bowling sessions, Khan regained confidence in his back and has since performed well for Gujarat Titans in the IPL.

Rashid Khan will lead an experienced Afghanistan squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the ACB announced on Tuesday. The 15-man squad boasts eight players currently involved in the IPL, showcasing their international experience and talent.Despite having only four designated batters in Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, and Mohammad Ishaq, the squad's strength lies in its six allrounders. Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, and Nangeyalia Kharote provide a versatile blend of batting, bowling, and fielding abilities.Afghanistan's spin attack is formidable, with Rashid Khan, Nabi, and Kharote forming the core. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Noor Ahmad add depth to the spin department, giving the team multiple options to control the opposition's scoring rate.Naveen-ul-Haq is the lone right-arm fast bowler in the squad, while left-arm pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad complete the bowling attack. Their pace and variation will be crucial in containing the opposition's batters.Noor Ahmad, Karim Janat, and Mohammad Ishaq, who have all impressed in recent U-19 World Cups, will make their T20 World Cup debuts. Their inclusion signals Afghanistan's commitment to developing young talent and building a strong future for the team.Hashmatullah Shahidi, who captained Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup, was not selected for the T20 World Cup squad. Left-hand opener Hazratullah Zazai was also omitted from the main squad but will travel as one of three reserves alongside Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Saleem.Afghanistan will face a tough challenge in Group C of the 20-team tournament. They will encounter Test teams New Zealand and co-hosts West Indies, as well as Uganda and Papua New Guinea. The team's experience and versatility will be tested as they aim to advance to the knockout stages.

Afghanistan's star all-rounder Rashid Khan has expressed his disappointment over Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to indefinitely postpone their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which was scheduled for August at a neutral venue. CA cited concerns over the "marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls" in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as the reason for their withdrawal.Rashid, who is currently playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said he was "really hurt" by CA's decision. "It does hurt you. You do want to play against the best teams and that's where your cricket is going to improve more and more. You only get the opportunity playing against them [Australia] in the World Cups, but not in bilateral series," Rashid told ESPNcricinfo.Rashid believes that the series would have been a valuable learning experience for Afghanistan, as playing against top-ranked teams like Australia is crucial for the growth of the sport in the country. "Recently, we played three T20s against India, and it helped us a lot. We nearly chased 200 [212] against India. Imagine if you wouldn't have played that, where would the confidence come from? Playing against big teams is huge for us," he added.Rashid also questioned CA's decision to exclude him from the BBL, while allowing other Afghan players to participate. "You don't want to play with my colleagues and you want to play with me. So what's the difference? It means I'm putting my colleagues down as well. My country down as well," he said.This is the third time CA has chosen not to honor a bilateral engagement with Afghanistan. In 2021, the first Test match between Australia and Afghanistan was postponed, and last year, an ODI series was called off.

In a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at Jaipur, Gujarat Titans emerged victorious against Rajasthan Royals in a nail-biting last-ball finish. Skipper Shubman Gill's fine half-century set the stage for an exhilarating chase, ultimately sealed by the heroics of Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia.Gill, speaking in the post-match presentation, expressed his admiration for Rashid Khan's competitiveness, stating, "I would have loved to finish the game but very happy with the way Rashid bhai and Rahul bhai finished the game. Last game also, we dominated more than 50 per cent but our bad phases were very bad. He (Rashid) is such a fantastic player, someone you always want in your team. When GT is playing, do not think that (ruling the team out of the game)."The thrilling chase began with a solid partnership between Sai Sudarshan and Gill, laying the foundation for Gujarat's pursuit of Rajasthan's imposing total. Despite losing wickets at crucial junctures, Gill's valiant 72-run innings kept Gujarat in the hunt until his dismissal in the 16th over.A brief cameo by Shahrukh Khan and a resilient partnership between Tewatia and Rashid injected new life into the chase. Tewatia's quick-fire 22 and Rashid's unbeaten 24 ensured Gujarat Titans reached the target of 197 runs off the last ball, culminating in a euphoric victory for the Titans.Reflecting on the team's strategy, Gill revealed, "We were targeting 45 in three overs and that is very much gettable, and that was the mindset. Mathematically, it is like both batters need to score 9-ball 22 runs or so and if one of the batters goes berserk, it will get over two-three balls prior." He praised the relentless efforts of his teammates, stating, "Winning the game off the last ball is a wonderful feeling."In a high-scoring encounter, Rajasthan Royals had posted a formidable total of 196/3, courtesy of a magnificent partnership between skipper Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag. Despite their efforts, Rajasthan suffered their first loss of the season, but retained their position at the top of the IPL table with eight points.With this victory, Gujarat Titans climb to the sixth spot in the IPL standings, with three wins and three losses.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) latest acquisition, Sameer Rizvi, made an unforgettable debut in the Indian Premier League (IPL) against Gujarat Titans on March 26. The 20-year-old from Meerut announced his arrival in style, smashing two sixes off Rashid Khan's first two deliveries.Rizvi's fearless approach was a testament to the faith CSK had shown in him, shelling out a hefty ₹8.4 crore for his services. Despite being a relatively unknown quantity, Rizvi's performances in domestic cricket had caught the attention of the Super Kings' management.In his first innings, Rizvi was sent in at a crucial juncture, with CSK needing to accelerate their scoring rate. Unfazed by the pressure, he displayed his power-hitting prowess, sending the ball soaring over the boundary twice.Rizvi's innings was not only a personal triumph but also a sign of CSK's willingness to invest in young talent. The franchise has traditionally favored experienced players, but Rizvi's selection suggests a shift in strategy.After the match, Rizvi expressed his gratitude to CSK for believing in him. He also revealed that he had received valuable advice from M.S. Dhoni, the legendary former India captain and current CSK skipper."M.S. bhaiya gave me a few tips on handling pressure and playing in front of the crowd," Rizvi said. "He told me to play my natural game and to focus on performance as the price tag is different for everyone."Rizvi's impressive debut has raised expectations for his future with CSK. The young batter has shown that he has the talent and the temperament to succeed at the highest level. As the IPL progresses, Rizvi will be eager to prove that he is worth the investment and help CSK achieve their title aspirations.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's star leg-spinner, has made a triumphant return to the national squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland. This marks a significant milestone in his recovery from a back injury that has sidelined him since the 2023 World Cup.Khan's absence has been a major blow to Afghanistan, who have missed his exceptional wicket-taking abilities. He was their leading wicket-taker at the ODI World Cup, claiming 11 scalps. His return will provide a much-needed boost to the team as they prepare for the T20 World Cup in June.In addition to Khan, Afghanistan have also welcomed back Mujeeb Ur Rahman, another key spinner who has been recovering from a finger injury. The return of these two experienced campaigners will significantly strengthen Afghanistan's spin attack.The squad also includes several uncapped players, including allrounder Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote, who impressed on his ODI debut, is also in contention for a T20I debut.Afghanistan will host Ireland for three T20Is in Sharjah on March 15, 17, and 18. The series will be a crucial test for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Afghanistan will be eager to continue their winning ways after securing a 2-0 victory in the preceding ODIs.