‘Support of my countrymen gives me energy’

Afghanistan's leg-spinner Rashid Khan says the entire country watches Indian Premier League (IPL) and the support of the people back home gives him energy to perform better in the cash-rich T20 tournament.

The 18-year-old Rashid returned with impressive figures of 4-0-16-1 to help his side Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Kings XI Punjab by 26 runs on Friday, reports dnaindia.com

"The whole of Afghanistan is watching this league. The way they are supporting us both, me and (Mohammed) Nabi, it is just amazing. The prayers of our people back home help me and whenever we have a game, they all pray for us," Rashid told reporters after the match.

"Their back up, their support really helps me and gives me energy," said Rashid, who hails from Nangarhar province in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Rashid has impressed one and all as he not only has been among the wickets but also putting brakes on the opposition run flow. Asked what does his performance mean for Afghan cricket, he said, "It means a lot to them because coming to this stage and performing here is a very positive message for the people of Afghanistan."

He said the message to the youngsters back home was "to work hard, do your best and you will achieve for which you have set your foot for".