‘Have a few new deliveries up my sleeve’

The Daily Star [TDS]: Started out as a teenager and now captain of the Test team, how has life changed so quickly?

Rashid Khan [RK]: It has been a big change since I debuted for Afghanistan. I have travelled the world and get fans’ support everywhere. It is not the same Rashid Khan that used to walk out on the roads without being recognised. I need to be careful, not because of security [fears], but because of love from the people. I feel very lucky to be someone at this stage in a very short period and I feel proud at the same time. The focus now will be to maintain this.

TDS: How do parents and family react now?

RK: They are proud. Getting to such a stage in this short time, they are actually proud. They are happy to be called my family. They played a massive role since my U-19 days. I was not allowed to play cricket properly before that. They wanted me to study but as soon I got into the U-19 team, then the IPL, BPL and the national team the support changed and it helped me at every stage. When I am playing in Australia, the time back home is 2:00am or so but still the entire family watches my game on TV. If the game is not shown live on television, they follow it on the internet. That is something that gives me energy to perform.

TDS: Why were you not allowed to play? And who was stricter, father or mother?

RK: Both of them. My mother was worried about me hurting myself. According to her, the ball is very hard and heavy and it hurts a lot if it hits you. She used to say I will be a goner if the ball hits me (smiles).

TDS: When did you start playing cricket professionally and when did you think you could become a leg-spinner?

RK: I used to be a batsman; I was not very interested in bowling. I used to bowl one or two overs a game and that used to be enough for me. As soon I came to Afghanistan domestic [cricket], playing three-day matches, I had taken up bowling seriously. I had taken 21 wickets in three games and from there on people started saying there is a leg-spinner who bowls quick and someone quite difficult to pick. I then thought if this can have a future, I should take it seriously and concentrate more on bowling. I did not have a coach to teach me. Whatever I was doing, I was experimenting and experiencing on my own. If you see my 2016 bowling action compared to the one now, it has changed a bit. I am still working hard in the nets and trying to invent new deliveries. At the moment, I have two or three new deliveries up my sleeve but have not tried in the match yet as I do not have enough control on that. But I have plans to bring them in soon in the longer format.

TDS: What is the secret behind Rashid Khan’s rise?

RK: Leg-spin is the toughest job in cricket, I believe. The main reason behind my success has been my action, the speed and the release point. A quick-arm action makes it tough for batsmen to pick. Whatever there is with me is all natural. I have not copied or been taught. It is something like a God-gifted talent.

TDS: Cricketers are turning politicians, especially in the sub-continent nowadays. Am I talking to the future prime minister of Afghanistan?

RK: I don’t think I will be able to become a good politician and have never thought of that. I am still young and have a long career in cricket ahead of me and I would love to serve my country on a cricket field, make good facilities for the youngsters and help produce new talent for Afghanistan. I would rather work with cricket than be involved in politics. I am not a big fan of politics and have never followed it.