London: Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan, who is currently playing The Hundred, painted his country’s flag on his face to show his support amid the ongoing political turmoil that is happening back home. Rashid painted the flag during Trent Rockets’ game against Southern Brave in the Eliminator.
The Taliban are in the midst of a rapid takeover of Afghanistan, with the militant Islamist group seizing control of the capital Kabul and forcing the collapse of the country’s government. The situation is worsening but there is no way back to the country. Because of the Taliban, no one is able to enter Afghanistan now.
Today let us take some time to value our nation and never forget the sacrifices. We hope and pray for the peaceful , developed and United nation INSHALLAH #happyindependenceday 🇦🇫🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/ZbDpFS4e20
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) August 19, 2021
Earlier, Rashid had spoken out against the Taliban regime in the country. In a Twitter post, he wrote, “Dear world leaders. My country is in turmoil today. Thousands of innocent people of the country including children and women are being martyred every day. Homes and property are constantly being destroyed. Many families have been relocated. save us from this miserable environment. Stop killing Afghans. We want peace.”
Dear World Leaders! My country is in chaos,thousand of innocent people, including children & women, get martyred everyday, houses & properties being destructed.Thousand families displaced..
Don’t leave us in chaos. Stop killing Afghans & destroying Afghaniatan🇦🇫.
We want peace.🙏— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) August 10, 2021
Meanwhile, Rockets skipper Lewis Gregory said they are rallied behind him. Gregory said they feel Rashid is ‘not quite his regular bubbly self’ during the ongoing tournament. “We have a fantastic group of lads and they have really rallied around him, trying to keep him busy and look after him as much as we can.
“I know he has been around a long time but he is still a young lad. You can see he is not his regular bubbly self and all we can really do is try and pick him up,” said Gregory to Sky Sports.
Khan, who is among the best bowlers in the T20s, became the joint highest wicket-taker along with England’s Adil Rashid (prior to the start of Friday’s eliminator) with 12 wickets. “The guy is unbelievable. He has done it all around the world and he is doing it in England this year.
“When you throw in the circumstances with what’s going on back home where his family are, it’s nothing short of amazing. What he brings to his country and cricket is huge. He is fully focused on his cricket,” Gregory concluded.
