Rashid Khan Bigger Than Wasim Akram: Former Pakistan Captain

Rashid Latif made a big statement while on a talk show called ‘Hasna Mana Hai’ on Geo News. He said that Afghanistan’s star leg spinner Rashid Khan is a bigger cricketer than legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram, who has 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets in his career that spanned nearly two decades.

“Rashid has brought Afghanistan on the map. He has helped them get recognition,” Latif said.

“He is greater than Wasim Akram. I am sorry to say but Rashid’s stature is bigger,” he said.

Recently, Afghanistan have been on the rise under coach Jonathan Trott and even made the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in 2024. They also had a very good 2023 ODI World Cup, where they defeated England. 

However, Latif also pointed out that Afghanistan and Rashid need to improve their Test team to be a truly world class team. 

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

Afghanistan will next play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and will begin their campaign on February 21 in Karachi against South Africa. They’ll also face England and Australia in their group. 

They have already suffered a blow with Allah Ghazanfar being ruled of the Champions Trophy due to a fracture in his L4 vertebra. He was their top performer with the ball recently, and the Afghans will certainly miss his service in the competition.  

Afghanistan Champions Trophy squad: 

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (vice-capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fareeh Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveed Zadran, Noor Ahmad.