Afghanistan Captain Rahmat Shah scores 143 unbeaten runs in ODI against Ireland, breaking Shahidi's record

The Afghan star, leg-spinner Rashid Khan, has achieved a historic milestone in the ODI format. In the second match of the five-match series against Ireland, he took 6 wickets, conceding only 34 runs. Thanks to his powerful performance, Afghanistan defeated Northern Ireland by a margin of 92 runs.

In the match held at the Bradie Cricket Club in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan scored 299 runs, while Ireland managed only 207 runs in response. Rashid Khan became the first spinner in ODI history to take six or more wickets in a single match three times in his career.

The significance of this achievement can be compared to the records of other successful ODI spinners such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Imram Tahir, Shahid Afridi, Aqila Dandzai, Sandeep Lamichane, and Ajanta Mendis, who achieved a six-wicket haul twice. Rashid Khan is the only spinner to have accomplished this feat three times, and he achieved it in 121 ODI matches.

While pursuing the target of 300 runs, Ireland tried to hold out early in the game, but Rashid Khan's appearance quickly changed the course of the match. Already on the first ball of the 15th over, he dismissed Andrew Balbirnie (36). After that, his spin could not save Harry Tector (5 runs), Benjamin Kalitza (27 runs), Curtis Campher (23 runs), Jay Mundru (3 runs), and Byron McDonough (0 runs). The series of quick dismissals from Khan caused the pace of the running Irish players to drop, and the entire team left the field after 33.2 overs.

Rashid Khan debuted in ODIs on October 15, 2015, against Zimbabwe. About a year and a half later, he took his first six wickets in an ODI match. In March 2017, in Greater Noida against Ireland, he delivered a performance of 6/43. In the same year, against West Indies, he demonstrated his most dangerous spin bowling, taking seven wickets for only 18 runs in Gross-Ailette.

In terms of the number of matches where a player took six wickets for one team, Rashid Khan is equal to former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis. Waqar took six wickets twice against New Zealand, whereas Rashid achieved this for the second time against Ireland. Nevertheless, the overall record for the highest number of six-wicket matches in ODIs still belongs to Waqar, who achieved this feat five times.

Afghanistan scored 299 runs in 47 overs, taking eight wickets. Ireland's target was 300 runs, but Khan's play prevented the team's batsmen from forming significant partnerships. Ajmatullah Omerzai took two wickets, and Fazlhaq Faruqi took one. As a result, the hosts could only reach 207 runs. The third match of the five-match series will take place on August 10 in Belfast.

Ajinkya Rahane, one of the most reserved players in Indian cricket, recently concluded his career. Following this, former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar highly praised his contribution.

In his column published midday, Sunil Gavaskar stated that Ajinkya Rahane never received the deserved recognition for what he did for the Indian team as a captain and player. He compared Rahane to the great batsman Rahul Dravid and raised a serious question about the culture of Indian cricket.

Gavaskar noted that Rahane's record as a Test captain was impressive: he led six matches, winning four and losing none. Nevertheless, his leadership did not receive the praise it deserved.

Gavaskar mentioned that, similar to Rahul Dravid, who achieved many brilliant victories under his leadership but did not receive due reward, Rahane's leadership also never received proper applause. In his opinion, this is a characteristic of Indian cricket: when the team wins, the credit goes to the players who demonstrate individual achievements, whereas in case of defeat, all the blame is placed on the captain and coach.

Recalling the tour of Australia in 2020-21, Gavaskar recounted how Rahane took charge after the team failed, scoring only 36 runs in Adelaide. After returning to India due to Virat Kohli's first child's birth, Rahane assumed captaincy duties and laid the foundation for the team's return, scoring a magnificent century in Melbourne. Despite injuries to many senior players, Rahane inspired young athletes and led India to a memorable 2-1 series victory in the impregnable fortress of Australia—the 'Gabba'.

Furthermore, Gavaskar wrote that Rahane is one of those players who never had an enemy throughout his career. He leaves cricket with his head held high. Perhaps there are fewer than ten or twelve such players in the world who have not created enemies in their careers.