Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan brought rare joy to the faces of not only Afghan cricket fans but for the entire nation caught in a vortex of war and violence. Rashid was named “T20I cricketer of the decade” by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He also secured a place in the ‘ICC Men T20I team of the Decade.’

Born in eastern Nangahar province on 20 September 1998, Rashid made his international debut in 2015 in a Zimbabwe tour. The 22-year-old Afghan cricket sensation took the highest wicket,89, in T20I international in this decade.

 “I am speechless for this award and happy for the fans. For someone from Afghanistan to get this award, it is a special moment for me,” Rashid said just after the announcement.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai wished him on this rare honor and also prayed for the success of other athletes in the country.

“Congratulation dear Rashid Khan for the biggest achievement for you and our country’s cricket. You will always be a shining star and make us proud,” tweeted Sediq Siddique, the spokesperson of the Afghan presidential palace.

"This is the face of a changed Afghanistan", tweeted an Afghan on the occasion. Another user tweeted that "Rashid didn’t play for half of the decade and bagged the cricketer of the decade award".

Rashid also plays in league matches around the world. In 2018, he fetched a $1.4 million dollar bid from Sunriser Hyderabad in IPL 2018 auction.