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The much-anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is just a few days away from start and ahead of the marquee tournament, several cricketing buffs have their eyes set on their favourites. With top eight teams in the 50-over format, until the 2023 ODI World Cup, looking to clinch the coveted title, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif dropped a bold statement while naming the best spinner.
Speaking in a talk show on Geo News, former Pakistan cricketer claimed the Afghanistan spinner, Rashid Khan as a bigger cricketer than legend Wasim Akram. He also admitted that Rashid Khan’s stature is bigger than that of Akram. It is to be noted that Rashid Khan has been a revelation for the Afghanistan cricket team since his debut in international cricket.
Rashid Khan is greater than Wasim Akram: Rashid Latif
Speaking on the show, the former Pakistan captain said, “He is greater than Wasim Akram. I am sorry to say but Rashid’s stature is bigger.” While heaping praise on the Afghan all-rounder, Latif also shared a piece of advice for the 26-year-old. “I have only one piece of advice for Rashid Khan. ‘Improve your Test team and play more Test matches against Pakistan,” he remarked.
Since his debut in international cricket, Rashid Khan has picked up 45 wickets in Tests, 198 in ODIs and 161 in T20Is. He has also went onto become a legend of the T20 format, picking 633 wickets, which is the highest. Talking of Wasim Akram, the legend picked up 414 wickets in 104 Tests and 502 wickets in 356 ODIs.
The 26-year-old Afghan international will be seen in action in the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to get underway from February 19 in Pakistan and UAE. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side have been placed in Group B alongside South, Australia and England.
Afghanistan's squad for ICC Men's 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
