Rashid makes instant impact

Supergiant nail Mumbai by 7 wickets

The presence of Afghanistan players in this edition of the IPL was one of the talking points ahead of the tournament. All-rounder Mohammed Nabi and leg-spinner Rashid Khan – both picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad -- were upbeat on giving their best. Rashid received the opportunity against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday and he made an immediate impact on the big stage.

Rashid, coming on the back of a good run against Ireland in the ICC Intercontinental Cup, was instrumental in RCB’s downfall, picking two key wickets. The Sunrisers were under a little bit of pressure after the Challengers had raced to 50 in just 5.2 overs. Rashid, introduced in the sixth over, embraced the challenge and castled Mandeep Singh to give Sunrisers their first wicket. The 18-year-old was in the thick of the action again six overs later, dismissing the well set Travis Head.

Even as the pacers struggled in the first ten overs, Rashid kept Sunrisers in the game with his strikes. A pleased Sunrisers' captain called Rashid a great talent. “He has the talent in him and he was fantastic. He seems to be great prospect for Afghanistan cricket,” said Warner.

The jitters of playing in his first IPL game were evident in some of his loose deliveries but Warner felt it was only a matter of time before he becomes more consistent.
“I haven’t seen much of him but who wouldn’t be nervous. Playing your first tournament for the defending champions and when there is a lot talk about you, there will always be some pressure. But he bowled well and picked vital wickets. As a spinner, you need to be creative and vary your pace on this Hyderabad wicket and I am sure he will learn and adapt,” he said.

RCB skipper Watson echoed Warner’s observation. “He bowled pretty nice. He has got a bit of deception and he turns the ball a bit with his wrong one. He still seems to be a bit inexperienced and that’s why he bowled a couple of bad balls. But he got two key wickets and that should give him a lot of confidence,” said Watson.