Rashid Khan reveals he battled hamstring injury to witness Afghanistan script history against SA

Sharjah: Afghanistan star all-rounder Rashid Khan revealed that he battled a hamstring injury all throughout the 2nd ODI against South Africa to script history with an emphatic 177-run win at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

It was now no longer only Afghanistan’s biggest win by runs but in addition their first-ever ODI series win over South Africa after registering a six-wicket victory in the series opener earlier this week.

“Fifer after long-term and I had a hamstring injury in addition to since a month, but I desired to stay in the ground and assist the team. It was a gigantic opportunity for us to win a crucial series, so I desired to make contributions,” Rashid said after their first series win against a team ranked in the pinnacle five of the ICC rankings.

“I revel in bowling with children, I share my ideas with them and the proper kind part is they listen and learn quickly. And now they've started to deliver. Great to see children coming up and showcasing their talent,” he added after his 5-19 spell to bundle out Proteas for 134 in reply to Afghanistan’s 311/Four.

Rashid has recently faced more than one injury setbacks. He missed the ultimate week of the Hundred in August caused by hamstring issues and after returning home to play in Afghanistan’s domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League, he developed a back niggle. This also brought about him to overlook the one-off rain-affected Test against New Zealand. The present ODI series marks his first appearance in any of the longer formats since the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where he later underwent back surgical operation and was sidelined for four months.

On Friday, his 26th birthday, Rashid’s hamstring problems resurfaced while batting. After coming in all throughout the Forty seventh over, he ran two off his first ball but required immediate attention from the physio. No matter this, he continued to bat, finishing on six now no longer out from 12 balls. On the alternative hand, his ability to return and bowl remained uncertain.

“We had a gigantic opportunity to win a series and the love for the sport pushes you to play, I thought I was able to bowl and stay on the sphere, good job done by the physio in addition to,” the spinner said.

The 0.33 and final ODI of the series shall be played on Sunday.