Rashid Khan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Rashid Khan's journey from Nangarhar, Afghanistan to global cricket stardom is marked by record-breaking achievements. Born on 20 September 1998 in a Shinwari Pashtun family, his family fled the Afghan war and lived in Pakistan for a few years. He attended Islamia College Peshawar, studying computer science until 2013. He idolised Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi, after whom he stylised his bowling action, and South African batsman AB de Villiers. Initially more proficient as a batsman, he later excelled in leg-spin bowling. He came to prominence in 2014 when he performed notably in matches played in Peshawar during the Afghan cricket team's tour of Pakistan. In June 2017, he took the best bowling figures for an associate nation in an ODI: 7 wickets for 18 runs against the West Indies. In March 2018, at age 19 years and 165 days, he became the youngest player to captain an international team during the 2018 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. In the final of that qualifier, he became the fastest and youngest bowler to take 100 wickets in ODIs, taking 44 matches to break Mitchell Starc's record of 52. In June 2018, he became the fastest bowler, in terms of time, to take 50 wickets in T20Is, reaching the milestone in two years and 220 days. In October 2021, he became the fastest bowler, in terms of matches, to take 100 wickets in T20I cricket, in his 53rd match. In September 2019, at age 20 years and 350 days, he became the youngest cricketer to captain a Test match team, leading Afghanistan against Bangladesh. He was named ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Decade in December 2020.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over Ahmedabad as the final match approached its climax. The air was thick with tension, smelling of turf and anticipation. Rashid walked to his mark, adjusting his cap. He didn't look at the scoreboard; he looked at the batter's feet. With a wrist flick that defied physics, he released the ball. It turned sharply off the pitch, beating the bat by inches. The crowd roared, but he simply nodded, walking back with the quiet confidence of a man who knew his craft better than anyone else on the field.

Reader's Guide

Rashid Khan is a cornerstone of Gujarat Titans in the IPL, having joined the franchise for their inaugural season. He bowls right-arm leg spin and is an aggressive right-handed batsman. His record includes being the youngest to top the ICC ODI bowler rankings in February 2018, and later that month topping the T20I bowler rankings. In September 2018, he became the number one ICC all-rounder after the 2018 Asia Cup. He holds the record for the most wickets in Men's Twenty20 International cricket, surpassing Tim Southee's 164 in September 2025. He also holds the record as the youngest to take 200 wickets in T20 cricket, achieving this milestone at 23 years and 119 days old. In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he played his 100th international match for Afghanistan on 1 June 2019 against Australia. He was named captain of Afghanistan's T20I team in April 2019, replacing Asghar Afghan, and later reappointed in July 2021 and December 2022. He led Afghanistan in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. His domestic and franchise career includes playing for Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, Lahore Qalandars in the PSL, Band-e-Amir Dragons in Afghanistan's Shpageeza Cricket League, and MI New York in MLC.

Did You Know?

• Rashid Khan became the youngest cricketer to captain a Test match team at age 20 years and 350 days, leading Afghanistan against Bangladesh in September 2019.
• He took the best bowling figures for an associate nation in an ODI: 7 wickets for 18 runs against the West Indies in June 2017.
• He became the fastest bowler to take 100 wickets in ODIs, achieving it in 44 matches, breaking Mitchell Starc's record of 52.
• Rashid Khan holds the record for the most wickets in Men's Twenty20 International cricket, surpassing Tim Southee's 164 in September 2025.
• He was named ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Decade in December 2020.