MUMBAI (SW): The emerging Afghan spin-bowler Rashid Khan Arman and world’s second best all-round cricketer Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan have been picked for this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
The Afghanistan players were bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad – Rashid for INR 4 crore (USD 595,000 approx) and Nabi for INR 30 lakh (USD 44,000 approx). Their 18-year-old leg-spinner Rashid Khan is now dubbed the ‘million dollar baby’ by his teammates.
“I am feeling great, it’s a massive thing to be part of the IPL,” Rashid told Hindustan Times. “I was following the live streaming on my mobile, when such big names as (South Africa’s world No 1 limited-overs bowler) Imran Tahir went unsold, I thought I will also not be picked. It’s too much (money),” said Rashid, who hails from a business family of Jalalabad, about three hours’ drive from Kabul.
Of the first 108 players that went on sale in the main draw of the auction, only 33 were bought.
“I have been keenly following the IPL for the last five to six years and it was a dream to play in the best league in the world,” said the spinner, who got up at 5 am with Nabi for morning prayers and then sat down in their rooms to follow the auction.
Talking to the HT, Nabi said it is a massive moment for Afghanistan cricket. Nabi admitted he was nervous. “Asghar Stanikzai’s was the first name to come up in the auction and when he went unsold, I didn’t have a good feeling, but my favourite team picked me. I loved the way Sunrisers Hyderabad played as a team last season, and how David Warner carried the team.
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