Adil Rashid Archives

Adil Rashid, Rehan Ahmed face Indian visa delay ahead of T20 World Cup

England spinners Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed faced delays in securing visas from Indian authorities for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, reportedly due to their Pakistani heritage.

The issue has complicated England’s build-up to the tournament, with both players now unlikely to travel with the rest of the squad this weekend for a six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka.

The timing of their clearance remains uncertain, leaving head coach Brendon McCullum short of two frontline spin options at a critical stage of preparation.

Rashid and Ahmed are currently overseas, with the senior leg-spinner featuring in South Africa’s SA20, while Ahmed is playing in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

It is understood that once their visas are approved, both players may travel directly from their current locations to either Sri Lanka or India to rejoin the squad.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Notably, similar bureaucratic hurdles have surfaced in recent years amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.

During England’s tour of India two years ago, Shoaib Bashir missed the opening Test after being forced to return to London to complete his visa process, while pacer Saqib Mahmood has also encountered comparable issues in the past.

The ECB is understood to have received assurances from Indian authorities that there are no objections to the applications of Rashid and Ahmed.

However, with uncertainty over timelines persisting, the board has reportedly sought assistance from the UK government in an effort to expedite the process.

Despite the disruption, England remain confident that both spinners will be available in time for the T20 World Cup, which begins for them with a group-stage clash against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8.

READ: BPL match delayed as players enforce nationwide cricket boycott

England spinner draws comparison between Babar Azam, Virat Kohli’s cover drive

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has picked Pakistan ace batter Babar Azam over India batting maestro Virat Kohli for playing the most pleasing cover drives.

While speaking during a Podcast, Adil Rashid and his compatriot Moeen Ali shed light on the cover drives of two modern-day greats of the game.

Moeen, however, redirected the fan question to Rashid due to his vast experience of bowling to these two batters.

“He’s a big fan of Babar, you know,” Moeen Ali said on Rashid’s admiration for Babar Azam rather than his cover drive.

“I think Babar’s cover drive,” Rashid said while praising Kohli for elegance in his straight drive and whip.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

In addition to this, Adil Rashid picked former England batter Ian Bell as the best cover driver and India’s legend Rahul Dravid, who had the best defense in international cricket.

“I prefer Ian Bell because he made it look so easy while Rahuld Dravid had the best defense,” he said.

Moeen Ali, on the other hand, picked Virat Kohli over Babar Azam for playing the most elegant cover drives.

A few years earlier, former England captain Nasser Hussain had also made a similar claim, rating Babar’s cover drive ahead of Virat’s.

“I’m going to be biased. Sorry Indian fans but I’m gonna go with Babar Azam. I nearly went Kohli because I think Kohli is slightly different. Kohli has a bit more of a flick of the wrist of it. Babar Azam has just a lovely little [touch],” he had said.

“If I was teaching any young girl to watch, I’d ask her to watch Meg Lanning. I’m teaching any young boy to watch a cover drive. I would say watch Babar.” he concluded.

READ: Mehidy Hasan Miraz gives Bangladesh selection ‘headache’ for Sri Lanka Test

Adil Rashid achieves ODI landmark during England’s win over West Indies

BIRMINGHAM – Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid on Thursday became only the ninth player to represent England in 150 ODI matches as the hosts began their three-match series against West Indies with a resounding 238-run victory at Edgbaston.

Rashid, 37, reached the milestone more than 15 years after making his debut in 2009 and joined an elite list of England cricketers with 150-plus ODI appearances.

The list includes Eoin Morgan, Paul Collingwood, James Anderson, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Alec Stewart, Ian Bell, and Darren Gough.

Most ODI appearances for England

Eoin Morgan – 225 matches
Paul Collingwood – 197 matches
James Anderson – 194 matches
Jos Buttler – 188 matches
Joe Root – 178 matches
Alec Stewart – 170 matches
Ian Bell – 161 matches
Darren Gough – 158 matches
Adil Rashid – 150 matches

Rashid has so far taken 215 wickets in ODIs at an average of 32.82, with best figures of 5/27 against Ireland in 2017.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He remains one of only three English bowlers to claim over 200 wickets in the format, behind only Anderson (269) and Gough (234).

Celebrating his milestone match in style, Rashid picked up two wickets in the second innings after England had posted a mammoth 400/8 in their 50 overs, courtesy of strong contributions from the middle order.

Jacob Bethell led the charge with a quickfire 82 off 53 balls, while Ben Duckett (60), Harry Brook (58), and Joe Root (57) also chipped in with half-centuries.

In reply, the West Indies were blown away for just 162 in 26.2 overs. Number 11 Jayden Seales was the top scorer with an unbeaten 29 off 14 balls.

Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton bagged three wickets apiece for the hosts, while Rashid claimed two. With this comprehensive win, England took a 1-0 lead in the series.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed takes credit for Hasan Ali’s fiery comeback

England star spinner claims top spot in ICC T20I Rankings

DUBAI: England star spinner Adil Rashid claimed the top spot in the ICC T20I Rankings after his consistent performances against India in the five-match T20I series.

Adil Rashid moved up one place and replaced West Indies’ Akeal Hosein as the number-one bowler in the T20I rankings.

Rashid earned the reward for his performances in the first three matches of the ongoing series against India. The 36-year-old has collected a total of three wickets however, he has been economical across all games.

Meanwhile, the major mover inside the top 10 of the ICC T20I bowling Rankings was Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who climbed 25 places to fifth following his five-wicket haul in the third T20I against England.

England fast bowler Jofra Archer jumped 13 spots to sixth place after he took two wickets in the same match.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Australia’s star Travis Head is at the top of the rankings for T20I batters however, Indian left-hand batter Tilak Varma is closing in as he is currently sitting on second spot with a difference of 23 rating points.

Varma jumped one spot to second after his scores of 9*, 72* and 18 in the ongoing series against England. If he manages to topple Head for the number one spot, he will become the youngest-ever player to top the rankings.

The current record is held by Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who became the No.1 ranked T20I batter at the age of 23 years and 105 days.

In the T20I All-Rounder Rankings, Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya is still at the top while Nepal
Dipendra Singh Airee is on the number two spot.

In Test Bowler Rankings West Indies’ spinner Jomel Warrican gained 16 spots to climb to 25th place after he won the Player of the Series award against Pakistan, during which he netted 19 wickets.

Meanwhile, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah continues to rule the ICC Test Bowling Rankings following his superb series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) where he took 32 wickets.

The ICC Test Batting Rankings are headed by England’s run machine Joe Root while his teammate Harry Brook sits in second place.

READ: Babar Azam suffers decline, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali move up in ICC Test Rankings

Adil Rashid breaks silence on retirement plans

CHESTER-LE-STREET: England leg-spinner Adil Rashid on Monday, opened up regarding the future of his professional career, stating he has no plans to retire “any time soon”.

The 36-year-old spinner and right-arm speedster Jofra Archer are the only two members of England’s World Cup-winning team in the squad for the ongoing white-ball home series against Australia.

Rashid is the oldest member of the inexperienced England side by five years with fellow World Cup winners Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow left out of the squad, which features new faces.

Meanwhile, Adil Rashid remained confident about his future in the young team and said he has not thought about retirement yet.

“I have not thought about it [retirement] yet,” Rashid told the BBC.

“Keep playing, enjoy it, stay fit, bowl well, contribute to wins, hopefully World Cups and Champions Trophies – that is my ultimate aim.

“I have not thought about retiring or calling it a day any time soon.”

England, who failed to defend both their ODI and T20 World Cup titles, enter a rebuilding process with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in view or more certainly the next T20 World Cup in 2026 and 2027 ODI World Cup.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Three Lions had a rough start to their rebuilding process, having suffered crushing defeats in the first two ODIs of the five-match series against Australia. Their defeat in the second fixture at Headingley was their 10th in the last 14 matches.

“There have been big changes, new batters, new bowlers,” he said.

“It will take time. It will always take time when it is a rebuilding process.

“We have got every base covered in terms of bowling, batting, keeping.

“Everything is there for us. All we have to do now is play the game of cricket, enjoy it, string a few games together of winning and then off we go.”

Despite succumbing to a heavy defeat, England had something to cherish as Adil Rashid became just the third from the nation to amass 200 wickets in ODIs.

“I’m playing each game and each series as it comes and if I’m still enjoying it and performing well, I’ll keep carrying on,” Rashid stated ahead of the third ODI between England and Australia, scheduled here on Tuesday.

Rashid’s “best friend” Moeen Ali announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this month, just days after being left out of England’s white-ball squads for the Australia series.

“We always have that banter and vibes,” he added. “That’s not there anymore but that is life. Everything moves on.”

READ: Team ‘unity’ among key points discussed in Connection Camp

Adil Rashid upbeat for another “world-class” Babar Azam challenge

BIRMINGHAM: England leg-spinner Adil Rashid expressed his excitement for yet another battle with Pakistan’s ace batter Babar Azam in the upcoming T20I series between the two sides.

Pakistan will tour England for a four-match T20I series ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Meanwhile, England’s first-choice spinner in the limited overs format, Adil Rashid, who is also at the summit of the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, acknowledged the Pakistan team as a stiff challenge.

“We are fully prepared and ready to face Pakistan team. They are very good team, they got experience and some very explosive players,” Rashid told a Pakistani news outlet here.

“They always enjoyed big support specially in Birmingham and Leeds so the crowd will be big. We were looking forward to it,” he added.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

He then commented on his battle with Babar Azam and claimed to enjoy the challenge against the “one of the best batters in the world”.

“I enjoy bowling to everybody as a bowler you have to be careful against each player. But I especially enjoy bowling to Babar Azam because he’s a class player. He is one of the best batters in the world,” stated Rashid.

“He’s not only a good player of spin but equally a good player against pacers too. It happens in cricket as it’s the part and parcel of this game and sometimes I might get him out. Hopefully when he comes here, I will try to get him out again,” he said.

It is worth mentioning here that Adil Rashid has dismissed Babar Azam numerous times in international cricket, the highlight of which was when he got the right-handed caught and bowled in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final.

READ: Several England stadiums ‘open to exploring’ hosting Pakistan-India Tests

Babar Azam returns to the top of ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings

DUBAI: Former Pakistan captain and star batter Babar Azam on Wednesday, reclaimed the coveted top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, dethroning India’s batting prodigy Shubman Gill.

Gill, who ended Babar Azam’s more than two-year reign as the top-ranked ODI batter in November, has only played three ODIs since then.

His last ODI appearance, which came in the ICC World Cup 2023 final against Australia, was forgetful as he fell for a mere four.

Gill was then rested from India’s three-match away ODI series against South Africa, causing him to lose crucial rating points.

As a result, star Pakistan batter Babar Azam leapfrogged him in the rankings by achieving superior rating points (824), 14 clear of Shubman Gill.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Gill is closely followed by his compatriot Virat Kohli, who holds the third spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings with 775 rating points.

Meanwhile, in T20Is, England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid climbed two places to replace Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan from the summit and India’s Ravis Bishnoi, who slipped to third.

Rashid becomes only the second Englishman to hold the No.1 ranking for T20I bowlers after legendary off-spinner Graeme Swann held the top spot back more than a decade ago.

Suryakumar Yadav extended his lead at the top to a total of 100 rating points at the back of his brisk century in the third T20I against South Africa, while Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan (second) and South Africa’s Aiden Markram (third) his closest rivals.

The ICC Test Rankings also saw major shake-ups following Australia’s thumping 260-run victory over Pakistan in the Perth Test.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja jumped three places to claim the fourth spot, went past Babar Azam at third, and also moved within touching distance to top-ranked Kiwi Kane Williamson.

His teammates David Warner (up nine spots to 27th) and Mitchell Marsh (improves 12 places to equal 68th) also make some ground after impressive knocks against Pakistan.

Australian bowlers also got the reward of their magnificent performances against Pakistan in the first Test with Pat Cummins (up one place to third), Nathan Lyon (up three spots to fifth), Mitchell Starc (up two places to eighth) and Josh Hazlewood (up two spots to 10th) all making ground inside the Top 10 but India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin continues to hold sway at the top.

READ: Saad Nasim’s ton saves Ghani Glass, WAPDA seal first win in President’s Trophy

Adil Rashid, Sam Curran recognized in the King’s Birthday Honours

England cricketers Lydia Greenway, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran are among the names recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Greenway, a two-time World Cup winner and four-time Ashes winner who played over 200 times for her country, receives an OBE. Since retiring from playing, the former Kent left-hander has also founded Cricket For Girls.

Adil Rashid, also a two-time World Cup winner, is awarded an MBE, while Sam Curran – Player of the Tournament in England Men’s victorious ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign – receives an MBE.

There is also a British Empire Medal for former Northamptonshire CCC scorer Tony Kingston, who retired last year after 32 years of service at the club – a time period across which he missed just 66 overs of cricket.

Lydia Greenway said: “It’s an amazing honour to receive, and I was really surprised to receive it. It’s just a really nice thing to experience. I’ve always tried to enjoy my cricket and share my enjoyment of the game with other people, and I’m very proud to be recognised in this way.”

Adil Rashid said: “It’s nice to get the news and receive recognition for my work in cricket and in the community. I’m proud of the thing I’ve achieved on the field, including two World Cups, but I’ve always wanted to achieve things off the field in my local area. It’s all linked. I am so grateful for the things I have and I know some people don’t have as much as me, so I try to give what I can.”

Sam Curran said: “I was overwhelmed and delighted to be given an MBE. You see people getting these titles but you don’t expect it to be you. It’s an incredibly proud moment, not just for myself but for those who have helped me over the years.”

ECB Chair Richard Thompson said: “I would like to congratulate Lydia, Adil, Sam and Tony on behalf of cricket fans across England and Wales.

“They have all dedicated themselves to cricket, and in the cases of Lydia, Adil and Sam, represented our country with distinction on the biggest stage of them all.

“They have all given back to the community, and are tremendous role-models for anyone wishing to pursue a career in our game.”

READ: Taskin shines in Bangladesh’s record 546-run Test win

Rashid returns as ECB reveals white-ball squads for South Africa series

LONDON: Leg-spinner Adil Rashid returned after performing Hajj as England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced ODI and T20I squads for the home series against South Africa.

In a recently-announced white-ball contingents, Durham seamer Matthew Potts earned a maiden call-up to the ODI squad following his impressive performance in England’s first four Test matches, whereas, leg-spinner Rashid returned to both squads after missing the series against India.

Besides Rashid, Jonathan Bairstow will also be making a return to the England T20I squad after being given rest for the recently-concluded T20I series against India.

England Test captain Ben Stokes, on the other hand, has been rested from the forthcoming T20I series against South Africa and will also not feature in The Hundred 2022, scheduled in August.

“To manage the workload and fitness of England Men’s Test captain Ben Stokes, he will not feature in the Vitality IT20 series and The Hundred competition, which is due to start next month,” ECB revealed in a statement.

It is pertinent to mention here that England and South Africa will lock horns in a three-match ODI and T20I series, scheduled from July 19 to 31.

England Men’s ODI Squad

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Matthew Potts (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire)

England Men’s T20I Squad

Jos Buttler (Lancashire) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Richard Gleeson (Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire)

ODI Series Schedule

First ODI: July 19
Second ODI: July 22
Third ODI: July 24

T20I Series Schedule

First T20I: July 27
Second T20I: July 28
Third T20I: July 31

READ:

ECB grants Hajj leaves to Rashid amid upcoming series against India

LONDON: England Leg spinner Adil Rashid has announced that he will perform the Hajj this year and will miss out upcoming England’s ODI and T20 series against India.

Rashid is set to depart for Saudi Arabia on Saturday along with his spouse to make the Hajj pilgrimage and will be unavailable for his country as well as his county, Yorkshire County Cricket Club, for the next few weeks.

England Cricket Board and Yorkshireshire CCC have granted permission to Rashid to make the hajj pilgrimage.

“I spoke to the ECB and to Yorkshire about it and they were very understanding and encouraging, like: ‘yep, you do what you’ve got to do and then come back when you can’. Me and the missus are going and I’ll be there for a couple of weeks,” said Rashid as reported by the Espncricinfo website.

While discussing his desire to undertake a holy journey, he disclosed that as a Muslim, he had committed himself to do so because it is one of the most important obligations as defined by Islam.

“It’s a massive moment: each faith has got their own different thing but for Islam and being a Muslim, this is one of the biggest ones. It’s a big thing for my faith and for myself. I knew that I needed to do it while I’m young and strong and healthy. This is something that I really committed to myself that I would do,” he added.

Rashid asserted that the whole team respected him and his Muslim teammates, Moeen Ali and Saqib Mahmood, for their faith. He credited England skipper Eoin Morgan and the team management for creating a supportive environment.

“It’s very easy for us to be who we are in the dressing room, on and off the pitch, around the boys because they’re so understanding,” he said.

“We’re all from different backgrounds and different countries – it’s a very diverse team – but everyone gets along and respects each other massively. That’s a big credit to Morgs for making that environment, and to the hierarchy.” Rashid concluded.

READ: PCB to offer separate Central Contract for each format, announces Ramiz