KABUL – *Afghanistan’s Captain Rashid Khan has broken yet another record –this time as the youngest cricket captain in international cricket history.*
This comes after regular team captain Asghar Stanikzai fell out of the ICCCricket World Cup Qualifiers after emergency surgery on Monday to removehis appendix.
The team is currently in Zimbabwe ahead of the WC qualifiers which startthis weekend. Afghanistan will however face West Indies on Tuesday in awarm up match.
In the past week, Rashid has scooped three records – first when he becamethe youngest No. 1 rank in One Day Internationals (ODI) and then as No.1 inT20Is.
The latest feather in his cap will see him lead his team as interim captain- at least for the early part of their qualifying campaign – untilStanikzai is well enough to return to the team.
The 19-year-old has had a triumphant few months after being named AssociatePlayer of The Year for 2017.
He was also snapped up last month for $1.41 million USD by SunrisersHyderabad at the IPL auction.
Following a 4-1 series victory against Zimbabwe earlier this month, Rashidsaid: “It feels good to see that Afghanistan is a favorite to qualify (forthe WC),” said Khan.
“I think we should show it on the ground, it’s not only on paper that weshould look good.
“We have to take every match seriously. We have to play good cricketagainst every team. Hopefully it will go well and we will get four pointsand go to the next round.”
Afghanistan open their campaign against Scotland in Bulawayo on Sunday,ahead of further Group B matches with Nepal, Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.
The tournament runs from March 4 to 25, with the two qualifiers to bedecided by the end of the Super Six round on March 23.
The Afghan Cricket Board appointed Rashid Khan as the interim captainmaking him the youngest one in international cricket to hold the captaincymantle. Rashid will be 19 years and 165 days old on March 4 when the CWCQbegins.
Prior to him, Rajin Saleh who led Bangladesh in the 2004 Champions Trophyat the age of 20 years and 297 days was the youngest skipper in men’sinternational cricket.