At Just 19, Rashid Khan Becomes The Youngest Captain In International Cricket

At an age where most teenagers are struggling to keep up with their college and social lives, Afghanistan's leg-spinner Rashid Khan has not only managed to negate the daily struggles, but he also established a reputation as one of the most exciting talents in international cricket. © Facebook (Rashid Khan) Making his debut at just 17, the 19-year-old wasted no time in taking international cricket by storm on the back of his deceiving bowling skills which has eventually allowed this mystery spinner to break one record after another. And, that's not all. Thanks to his knack for picking up wickets, Rashid became the youngest player ever to occupy the world number one spot in both the ICC's ODI and T20I rankings for bowlers. For a cricketer who has witnessed a rapid rise in cricket, it was quite understandable to see Afghanistan appoint him as their new captain for the upcoming ICC World Cup qualifiers, especially after their regular skipper Asghar Stanikzai was sidelined with appendicitis. © Facebook (Rashid Khan) In the process, Rashid has once again etched his name in the history books, only this time as the youngest captain in the history of international cricket. Rashid will be exactly 19 years and 165 days old on 4th March when the 2018 World Cup qualifiers are slated to begin. The Afghan team will take on the likes of Scotland, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong and Nepal between 4-10 March on alternate days. We're so thrilled to have our spin sensation back into the battalion. It's time to #LiveOrange this #IPL2018 . Hyderabad and lots of biryani waits @rashidkhan_19 .#OrangeArmy #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/IweaHU5Ifq — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 27, 2018 The precocious leg-spinner, who fetched the highest-ever bid for an Associate player in the 2017 IPL Auction, once again emerged as the most sought-after spinner this season when the eight franchises locked horns in a crazy bidding war to stack up their squad for the eleventh edition of India's cash-rich T20 league. Overshadowing the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, young Rashid was reunited with his old employers after Sunrisers Hyderabad exercised their Right-to-Match card and shelled out a staggering Rs 9 crore during the IPL Auction in January. While there is little doubt over his abilities as a bowler, all eyes will once again be on Rashid who now carries an added responsibility of leading Afghanistan in what appears to be fairly tougher World Cup qualifiers.