Rashid Khan has become a key player in T20 Cricket known for his ability to win matches. Teams consistently see him as a top choice when looking for impactful players. His skills as an Afghan leg-spinner have helped him trap even the best batters.
However, recently, his dominance has decreased. Batters are now more cautious and have developed strategies to tackle him. His effectiveness has also diminished during critical moments in games. Afghanistan faced elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026 due to a decline in their performance.
During the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage, Afghanistan competed against India, Australia, and Bangladesh. Rashid performed well in prominent matches, achieving figures of 3/26 against India, 1/23 against Australia, and 4/23 against Bangladesh.
He also led Afghanistan to victory over New Zealand in the group stage with impressive figures of 4/17, contributing to an 84-run win. These achievements helped Afghanistan reach their first semi-final, which ended in a rain-affected loss to South Africa.
Rashid Khan Stats:
| Criterion | T20 WC 2024 | T20 WC 2026 |
| Inns | 8 | 4 |
| Wkts | 14 | 6 |
| Ave | 12.78 | 17.83 |
| Econ | 6.17 | 6.68 |
| SR | 12.42 | 16 |
Rashid could not replicate his past exceptional performances. His overall stats are still respectable, including 2/19 against Canada and 1/24 against the UAE. However, Afghanistan couldn’t progress to the Super 8 stage, recording disappointing results like 1/36 against New Zealand and 2/28 against South Africa.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 ahead, Rashid has a chance to counter doubts raised after a lackluster IPL 2025 season with Gujarat Titans.
T20I numbers in 2025:
| Criterion | Data |
| Inns | 12 |
| Wkts | 21 |
| Ave | 12.85 |
| Econ | 6 |
| SR | 12.8 |
His T20I statistics from 2025 don’t indicate a cause for concern. Despite this, questions about his performance arise. Analyzing his victories shows that many were against inconsistent teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
He has no control over which teams he faces. Critics expect high performance from a bowler who has held the title of the top T20I bowler for 764 consecutive days and 1136 days in total.
His record in the Asia Cup shows limited impact. With a bowling average under 20, he recorded noteworthy performances like 3/25 against the UAE and 2/10 against Hong Kong. However, against India in a major match in 2022, he went for 0/33 in four overs, contributing to a significant defeat for Afghanistan.
In Men’s T20 Asia Cups:
| Criterion | Data |
| Inns | 11 |
| Wkts | 14 |
| Ave | 19.64 |
| Econ | 6.39 |
| SR | 18.4 |
Rashid’s impact goes beyond his numbers. He has paved the way for Afghan cricket, inspiring a new generation. As cricket evolves, fresh talents are emerging to challenge established figures.
At just 27, Rashid has already secured 193 T20I wickets. He has the potential to redefine his career. With careful adjustments, he can regain his past success, similar to how Sunil Narine adapted his game during tough times.
