Rashid Khan's Best Spell In UAE (Source:@ICC/x.com)
With the rise of T20 cricket, the game introduced a new generation of thrilling stars who lit up the shortest format. Among them, Afghan spinner Rashid Khan has mesmerized fans worldwide with his magical spin and game-changing performances.
Although Afghanistan arrived on the global cricket stage a bit late, Rashid Khan quickly became the driving force, putting his nation at the forefront. With Afghanistan’s Asia Cup campaign underway in the UAE, the star spinner boasts some remarkable records on these pitches earlier. Ahead of their next encounter, let’s explore Rashid Khan’s top 5 T20I spells on UAE soil.
5. 3/38 vs Pakistan In Sharjah
Just ahead of stepping into the Asia Cup 2025, Afghanistan met Pakistan in a Tri-nation series along with the UAE. As both sides locked horns in the final clash of the series, Rashid Khan brought out the best version of himself. The Afghan star marked his first scalp, removing Fakhar Zaman in 27 runs in the 9th over.
After that, Pakistani batter Hasan Nawaz was hitting big, but Rashid Khan removed him in 15 runs, marking a crucial breakthrough for the side. In the 17th over, he sent back Salman Ali Agha, finishing with a 3/38 spell, securing his fifth-best T20I performance on UAE soil.
4. 3/22 vs Bangladesh In Sharjah
As the Asia Cup 2022 took place in the UAE, Rashid Khan dazzled with his fourth-best T20I spell in the T20Is on the UAE soil. Facing Bangladesh in the Group B clash, Afghanistan bowled first, and the Afghan spinner stunned the world with his heroics. Coming to bowl in the seventh over, he removed Mushfiqur Rahman in just 1 run.
As Bangladesh was facing blows against Afghanistan’s bowling attack, Rashid Khan deepened their struggle. After removing Afif Hossain in the 11th over, he secured the crucial wicket of Mahmudullah in the 16th over. With that dominance, he registered a spell of 3/22.
3. 3/19 vs Ireland In Sharjah
In 2024, Ireland and Afghanistan faced off in a three-match T20I series in Sharjah. In the first match of the T20I series, Rashid Khan stunned the world with his spell. Bowling first in the match, Rashid Khan secured the crucial wicket of Paul Stirling in the 11th over and marked his second scalp in he very next ball as he sent back Curtis Campher on a golden duck.
As the Afghan bowlers dominated Ireland’s innings, Rashid Khan removed Gareth Delany at a crucial time and secured his third wicket in the match. In that match, Rashid Khan conceded 19 runs in four overs and secured three wickets with an economy 4.80. That stands as his third-best T20I spell in the UAE.
2. 4/14 vs Ireland In Sharjah
The T20I series against Ireland turned out to be one of the best T20I series in Rashid Khan’s career. After his heroics in the first match, he channeled his exceptional form in the second T20I clash. As Ireland tried to build an innings, Rashid Khan sent Lauren Tucker back on a crucial point. In the very next ball, he sent Harry Tector on a duck.
Tightening his grip in the match, the star spinner removed George Dockrell and Mark Adair in the same over and turned the tide. With a thrilling four-wicket haul for just 14 runs, he notched his second-best T20I spell on UAE soil.
1. 4/9 vs Scotland In Sharjah
Among all the spells of Rashid Khan on the UAE soil, his outstanding spell against Scotland in 2021 comes first. On the big stage of the T20 World Cup 2021, Afghanistan met Scotland in the 17th match of the Super 12 stage. While defending the total, the Afghan bowlers appeared in their best form.
After Mujeeb ur Rahman offered some early blows, Rashid Khan tightened his grip on the later part. He struck first by dismissing Michael Leask, then sent Chris Greaves back for just 4. In the 11th over, he dismantled Josh Davey and Bradley Wheal in successive balls, finishing with a sensational 4/9, his best T20I spell in the UAE.
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.jpg?type=mq "Key takeaways")
