Rashid Khan on playing through despite hamstring injury as Afghanistan beat South Africa for a historic series win.
Rashid Khan played through the pain barrier despite what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Notwithstanding his hamstring troubles, Rashid Khan was aware that his input would “be the key” to his team’s unlikely series victory over South Africa. He reasoned that if he could “stay in the field till the end, why not, I should go for it” in some way. He took a risk and succeeded in finishing with figures of 9-1-19-5, which allowed Afghanistan to defeat South Africa and win their first series against a side in the top five of the ICC rankings.
“I got a hamstring [injury]. I had it a month before as well. Quite unlucky but I tried my best to stay on the ground till the end. Tried my best to do for the team as much as I can,” Rashid said after the whopping 177-run win was sealed in Sharjah. “Big opportunity for us as a team you know. To win the series against a big team and that’s what I had in my mind. My contribution will be the key so I have to go and stay till the end.”
Rashid has recently suffered a great deal from injuries. He was ruled out of the last week of the Hundred in August due to hamstring issues. Rashid later skipped the one-off, washed-out Test match against New Zealand. He hasn’t played in one of the two lengthier formats of cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup until this ODI series. Rashid underwent back surgery following the World Cup and missed four months of action as a result.
Rashid’s hamstring problems returned while he was batting on Friday, his 26th birthday. He came out in the 47th over, ran a two off the first ball, and required the physio’s care right away. Still, he kept at it, reaching six runs without a hit out of twelve. Would he return to bowling, though?
“We had a big opportunity to win a series against South Africa. And I think the love for this game is just pushing you to play. Doesn’t matter how [hard] it is and I thought I’m able to play, I’m able to bowl. I’m able to stay in the field till the end, why not, I should go for it,” Rashid said. “Good job done by the physio as well, to get me ready and deliver for the team.”