Ex-PAK captain rates Rashid Khan greater than legendary Wasim Akram, says 'has brought Afghanistan on the map'

Rashid Latif, a former captain of Pakistan, has boldly asserted that Afghanistan's top spinner Rashid Khan is a greater cricketer than Wasim Akram, the renowned pacer. Since he made his debut in international cricket in 2015, Rashid has been a revelation. Since then, the 26-year-old has taken 198 ODIs, 161 T20Is, and 45 Test wickets. With 633 wickets overall, Rashid is the best wicket-taker in T20 format history and has achieved legendary status in the game.

Latif on Rashid Khan

Latif asserted in an interview with Geo News that Rashid helped the Afghanistan cricket team become more well-known and put them on the map. Rashid's stature is greater than Akram's, according to the former wicketkeeper.

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“Rashid has brought Afghanistan on the map, he has helped them get recognition. He is greater than Wasim Akram. I am sorry to say but Rashid’s stature is bigger,” Rashid Latif said Hasna Mana Hai, a talk show on Geo News.

Latif also gave Rashid some advice, telling him to help Afghanistan's Test team get better so they can play Pakistan in the game's longest format.

"I have only one piece of advice for Rashid Khan. ‘Improve your test team and play more Test matches against Pakistan,'" said Latif.

In contrast, Akram, a legend of the game, took 502 wickets in 356 ODIs and 414 wickets in 104 Test matches.

Rashid to lead Afghanistan in Champions Trophy 2025

When Afghanistan made a historic run to the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals, Rashid Khan was captain of the team. Now, when the Afghan team travels to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the spinner will be a start name. Afghanistan will be looking to duplicate their previous white-ball success as they are drawn in the competition with South Africa, Australia, and England.

Afghanistan squad for Champions Trophy 2025

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran

Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami