Dubai: Star spinner Rashid Khan says winning the ICC T20I Cricketer of the Decade award is a special achievement for a player from an emerging country like Afghanistan.
The 22-year-old leg-spinner was the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals in the past 10 years with 89 scalps at an average of 12.62. He had three four-wicket hauls and two five-fors during this period.
I am speechless after this award. For someone from Afghanistan to get this award, it’s a special moment for me, for my country and for my fans, he said in a video message posted on ICC”s Twitter page.
He said his focus now would be on improving his batting skills in the coming years.
I have played for five years and my target is to play for another 10 years and keep on doing well. I have been doing well in bowling and in the coming years I will be focussing on contributing with the bat also, he said.
Talking about some memorable performances, he said, I have so many memories in T20 cricket. I had 5 for 6 against Ireland, including four wickets in four balls. That was a memorable performance.
‘I can’t forget my performance in 2016 T20 World Cup where I was the second highest wicket taker. The win against eventual champions West Indies was also a memorable one. I took two wickets in that match and the wicket of Marlon Samuels was my best in that World Cup.’