In a bold statement, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has claimed that Afghanistan’s star spinner, Rashid Khan, is a greater cricketer than the legendary pacer Wasim Akram. Latif, who has been vocal about his views on various cricketing matters, made this assertion while speaking on Geo News’ talk show Hasna Mana Hai.
Rashid Khan, 26, has become a global sensation since his debut in international cricket in 2015. Known for his sharp leg-spin and wicket-taking ability, he has established himself as one of the best spinners in world cricket. Khan’s record speaks for itself: 45 wickets in Tests, 198 wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 161 wickets in T20Is. But it’s his dominance in the shortest format that has set him apart, with a remarkable 633 wickets to his name, making him the highest wicket-taker in the history of T20 cricket.
Latif, who made the comment while discussing Rashid Khan’s contribution to Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket, highlighted that Rashid’s impact goes beyond his personal records. According to Latif, Rashid Khan has played a pivotal role in putting Afghanistan on the global cricketing map, helping the team gain recognition on the world stage.
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“Rashid has brought Afghanistan on the map, he has helped them get recognition,” Latif said. “He is greater than Wasim Akram,” he added, further stating that the young Afghan spinner’s stature is “bigger” than that of Akram, a statement sure to spark debate among cricket fans worldwide.
Wasim Akram, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game, has left an indelible mark on cricket, with his exceptional record in all formats, including 916 international wickets. His contributions to Pakistan’s cricketing success, particularly in the 1992 World Cup, are unmatched. However, Latif’s comparison of the two cricketers highlights the immense rise of Rashid Khan in a relatively short period.
While Latif’s comments have stirred up conversation, he also shared some advice for Rashid Khan. The former wicketkeeper encouraged Rashid to help improve Afghanistan’s Test cricket team, urging him to lead the charge in making Afghanistan competitive in the longest format of the game. Latif believes that this will enable Afghanistan to face teams like Pakistan in Test matches, which would be an exciting prospect for the cricketing world.
“I have only one piece of advice for Rashid Khan: ‘Improve your Test team and play more Test matches against Pakistan,'” Latif stated.
Rashid Khan’s journey from a young cricketer in Afghanistan to a global star has been nothing short of inspiring, and his continued success promises to keep him at the forefront of international cricket. As debates about his comparison with Wasim Akram continue, Rashid’s legacy as one of the greatest T20 bowlers in history is firmly cemented.
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