Bengaluru, April 30: Afghanistan duo Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi has stirred the IPL 2017 with their stellar performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad. [Rashid Khan thanks, people of Afghanistan]
IPL Special Site; Schedule; Points Table; Photos
While 18-year-old Rashid is a regular member of the SRH side, Nabi's chances in the team has been limited. Nonetheless, it was a historic moment for Afghan cricket when the players made their debut in the tournament.
Rashid Khan was in Zimbabwe with his national side on the day of the IPL auction. He said that it was a dream come true to play in the IPL.
Speaking from Hyderabad, the Afghan bowler said: “I was disappointed after watching that spinner like Imran Tahir remained unsold. But finally when I got sold the dream came true."
This has been the first time two Afghanistan cricketers have been playing in the IPL.
Nabi is yet to make a mark in IPL, but Rashid, executing a modest performance with his spin armoury, has already earned applauds, bagging eight wickets in 11 matches.
As a reflection of the Rashid's success in the IPL and also as an aftermath of both the cricketers' achievement by playing in the IPL, Afghanistan government has decided to make a documentary film on these cricketers.
The name of the documentary film is 'Afghan cricketers, The Rising Stars'. The film will unveil the growth of these two cricketers since the time when they both began to play cricket.
The film, spanning around 10 to 15 minutes, will also show that how among the five siblings, Rashid became passionate about cricket and always pressurised his older brothers to continue playing.
Rashid added saying: “Shahid Afridi was my childhood idol. Even I tried to follow his style and bowling action while bowling. I am also called the Afridi of Afghanistan.
"But the fact is that I have improved my bowling under the tutelage of legendary Muralitharan in the ongoing IPL.
"Muralitharan is the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has brought a few technical changes which are helping me a lot to be more penetrative as a spinner."
The 18-year old spinner was man-of-the-match against Kings XI Punjab after an excellent show with the ball where he gave only 16 runs to scalp one wicket in four overs.
OneIndia News