The current number one T20I bowler in the world Rashid Khan is set to ignite the Durban Heat when he lands on South African shores for the inaugural Mzansi Super League starting on Friday, 16 November.
The Afghanistan spin wizard has rocketed to the number one spot on the ICC T20I bowling rankings at just 20 years old, but has already played in a total of 169 T20 matches for club, province, franchise and country.
With a T20 bowling average of just 15 and 200 wickets to his name, the statistics suggest that Khan is a match winner. Being the number one bowler in the world in the game’s shortest format doesn’t add any more pressure onto the young man.
“I’ve got to number one by sticking to my game plan and that is what I will always do,” Khan said.
“T20 is a game that can change very quickly and not every game is going to go your way, and I will just do my best to try and win matches for my team.”
Having played cricket in many different parts of the world throughout his burgeoning career, South Africa is somewhere that the leg spinner hasn’t yet visited.
“I am so excited to be playing in the first edition of the Mzansi Super League. I have never played cricket in South Africa before and I have only heard great things.
“It is going to be a new environment for me but I think that my experience of playing in different conditions will enable me to adapt to the situation and conditions,” he added.
Khan has played with some of the best players in the world in the past and with the likes of Hashim Amla and David Miller in the Heat line-up he looks forward to adding them to the list of quality players he has shared a change room with.
“The beauty of T20 franchise cricket is the world class players that you play with and against.
“To be playing with the likes of Hashim (Amla) and David (Miller) is great and I look forward to joining up with them and the rest of the team,” Khan commented.
The Durban Heat have assembled a strong, well balanced squad for the Mzansi Super League and Khan is eager to add his expertise to the team.
“South Africans are passionate about cricket and I am looking forward to experiencing a new country and culture.
“I hope that I can give the Durban Heat fans something to shout about!” Khan added excitedly.
The Durban Heat is set to lock horns with Cape Town Blitz at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium on Sunday the 18th of November at 11:00 AM.
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketpro.co.za and at Kingsmead Stadium.
Durban Heat Fixtures:
- 18 Nov 11:00 Durban Heat v Cape Town Blitz Kingsmead, Durban
- 21 Nov 14:00 Durban Heat v Tshwane Spartans Kingsmead, Durban
- 23 Nov 19:00 Nelson Mandela Giants v Durban Heat St George’s, Port Elizabeth
- 28 Nov 19:00 Durban Heat v Paarl Rocks Kingsmead, Durban
- 30 Nov 19:00 Jozi Stars v Durban Heat Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- 02 Dec 11:00 Paarl Rocks v Durban Heat Eurolux Boland Park, Paarl
- 05 Dec 19:00 Durban Heat v Nelson Mandela Giants Kingsmead, Durban
- 07 Dec 14:00 Durban Heat v Jozi Stars Kingsmead, Durban
- 09 Dec 15:30 Cape Town Blitz v Durban Heat PPC Newlands, Cape Town
- 12 Dec 19:00 Tshwane Spartans v Durban Heat SuperSport Park, Centurion
Durban Heat Squad:
Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott, Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange, Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta, Temba Bavuma, Morné van Wyk, Okuhle Cele, Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako.
