Let’s Take A Moment To Talk About Rashid Khan & His Formidable Swag

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Rashid Khan, Rashid Khan Virat Kohli Babar Azam
Source: The National

After a game that kept half of the sub-continent on the edge throughout its run, Pakistan finally won against Afghanistan by 3 wickets. Shoaib Malik’s mature handling of the bat coupled with Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam’s stellar performances snatched the Pakistani side away from the jaws of defeat.

As far as the Afghan team goes, Hasmatullah Shahidi (who remained not out at 97 runs) and skipper Asghar Afghan both deserve a round of applause for together putting up a formidable total for Pakistan to chase.

Read: Asia Cup: 3 Pakistani Cricketers Who Need to Worry After the India Game

However, despite great craftsmanship with the bat demonstrated by players from both the teams, it was the Afghan pacer, Rashid Khan who stood out more than any other athlete in the arena.

Khan, who has surfaced as quite a sensation during Asia Cup 2018 was responsible for taking 3 out of the 7 fallen Pakistani wickets.

Read: 3 Players Who Hold The Key To Asia Cup, 2018

However, it was not just his performance that won him attention but more so his antics on the field that raised many eye brows.

From his unique style of celebration after claiming a wicket to his intense, unforgiving gaze to the many curses he hurled in every direction throughout the game made it impossible for the spectators to not sit up and take notice of the young player.

Rashid Khan

While there is no denying that Rashid Khan is truly an Afghan surprise and among the top cricketing talents to look out for, his narky demeanor left many Pakistani fans offended.

https://twitter.com/zeexhu420/status/1043232310223618048

https://twitter.com/AqeelSays_/status/1043386093188595712

So angry was one fan with Rashid Khan’s wicket celebration style that he wished for someone to do this 👇

The guy’s wish was rather quickly granted when a Pakistani kid was caught on camera doing this 👇

https://twitter.com/junaidahmad290/status/1043260237766184962

https://twitter.com/Jaweriyaa/status/1043228632196567042

Others were more cultured in their critique of Khan’s behaviour, leveraging on ICC’s code of conduct to make a point.

Truth be told, Rashid Khan’s agitated behaviour and the extreme reaction of the Pakistani fans are both a reflection of the complicated relationship that the two neighbours share. 

Had the political equation between Pakistan and Afghanistan been more cordial, neither Rashid Khan nor the Pakistani fans would have shown such haughtiness.

Yes, we think you’re both a little messed up!

So, we’d just ask all the Pakistani fans to channel the cricket lover in them and take Khan’s wicket celebration for what it is: a celebration!

Let’s take a leaf from Shoaib Malik’s understanding of sportsmanship and give Rashid Khan a chance. Rather than completely writing him off as the “arrogant enemy” let’s appreciate him for the good cricket that Khan certainly seems to have in him!