BBL 2018-19: The entire Australia is my family, says Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan said his late father struggled a lot while sacrificing for the family.

 The whole Australia is my family, says Rashid Khan | Getty Images

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan said the way his Adelaide Strikers team-mates and the Australian fans supported him through an emotional time following the death of his father has been great and he is grateful to have such people around him.

He further said that the whole Australia is his family, saying they have been given him lots of love and he didn't feel to be alone here. The leg-spinner also said that his father who was very close to him really supported him and was always watching his games despite he didn't understand cricket a lot.

The 20-year-old, who is currently the No.1 ranked T20I bowler in the world, wants to stay in Australia, saying he doesn’t want to miss any game of the Strikers and fulfill his Big Bash League commitments.

Rashid also said his family is also very supportive and encouraging him a lot from back home after his father’s demise and motivated him to stay in Australia and play for the Strikers.

Rashid told reporters on Friday (January 4), “The way the team, my captain, my coaches, my management – the way they supported me has been great. They were in my room until late (after the New Year's Eve game), encouraging me. I really love that – that kept me alive there, fresh and fine. They were coming to me after five minutes and hugging me.”

He continued, “I didn't feel like I’m alone here. The whole Australia is my family, everyone is looking after me very closely and very friendly and like a family member. They give me lots of love and I didn't feel myself to be alone here. I just keep in good energy.”

On his father, the leg-spinner said, “He really supported us, he struggled a lot while giving up [a lot for us]. He was always watching my games, he didn't understand cricket a lot but he just was always asking my family how I had done. It happens. It's life.”

He continued, “In this situation, my family has really supported me... Especially my mum, my brothers, my nephews. They were encouraging me a lot from back home. They were calling me again and again. They were like, 'you have to be there, you have to play for us, you have to play for your Dad. We can see you're sad, you're alone there, you're (a long way) from home'. That's how their motivation helped to stay here and play for the Strikers.”

Rashid also revealed that his compatriot Mohammed Nabi, who is representing the Melbourne Renegades in the BBL 2018-19, really helped him deal with the emotional condition. He signed off by saying, “I spoke with him (Nabi) a lot. He said... 'it's life - someone will go, someone will come. We all will go one day. It's not like we will be here for all of time'.”

(With International Cricket Council Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 04 Jan, 2019

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