New Delhi [India], May 26 (NT): Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday acclaimed cricketer Rashid Khan's performance in the ongoing 11th edition of the ViVO Indian Premier League (IPL). He termed him an asset to the cricketing world, Ghani also tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet, claiming that Afghans will not give him away.
"Afghans take absolute pride in our hero, Rashid Khan. I am also thankful to our Indian friends for giving our players a platform to show their skills. Rashid reminds us whats best about Afg. He remains an asset to the cricketing world. No we are not giving him away. @narendramodi," Afghani President wrote on Twitter.
The 19-year-old Rashid Khan single-handedly contributed his rigorous performance for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) side, against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the second Qualifier of the IPL 2018, at the Eden Gardens on Friday.
In this match Chasing 175, KKR managed only to score 161/9, and falling short by 14 runs to enter in final.
Rashid Khan stopped Ken-Wlliamson –led SRH's four-match losing streak from bat and ball both, as scoring 34 from 10 balls and He also picked up three wickets in his designated four overs and was accorded as the Player of the Match.
KKR skipper Dinesh Karthik also praised the Afghani cricketer.
""He had a brilliant day, didn't he? He batted really well, he fielded well; he had a run out. It was a day when everything went right for Rashid Khan and credit to him. In these kind of games, you want one individual to come and stand-up like that, to put the pressure on the opponent and credit to him. I think he did really well today," Karthik acclaimed Khan in the post-match conference, after KKR lost the second qualifier match.
It will be attention-grabbing to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reply to Prez Ashraf Ghani. (NT)
