The Afghan National Cricket Team leg-spinner Rashid Khan is on the list of 36 top players for 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) which will take place on January 27 and 28.
The reserve price for Rashid Khan and 35 other players will reportedly be about $320,000 USD.
While no official announcement has been made by organizers, the final list of pools for the auction will be finalized once all eight franchises submit the names of players they will be bidding for, reported Espncricinfo.
The IPL early this week announced that a total of 1,122 players, including the likes of Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, Joe Root and Shane Watson have signed up for the upcoming auction.
According to Espncricinfo Rashid is ahead of his time, and has dominated Twenty20 competitions while bowling his country to Test status.
Rashid was labelled IPL’s “million dollar baby” when Sunrisers Hyderabad shelled out $750,000 for the unheralded leg-spinner last year. He also took part in the Caribbean League, the Bangladesh League and Australia's Big Bash League.
“That will be interesting to see, it is big money,” said Rashid on the upcoming auction.
“I had a one-season deal so I will go back in the auction. Hopefully Sunrisers will take me in the auction. I did well for them,” Rashis said, according to a report in The Advertiser.
Rashid is the face of a new, confident Afghanistan where youth aspire to education or Test cricket representation.
“There has been a good change over the past six years. Before there was no plans or education for young people but now there are schools and universities which is the biggest difference,” said Rashid, adding that “the young generation now thinks we should do something for the country. It was very difficult for a time but we were used to it. It is a good thing when someone is helping your country.”
Rashid is self-taught with one natural advantage, employing mitt-size hands similar to Warne’s tailor-made for revving a magical leg-spin, stealth and unique control.
“As a leg-spinner you have to have strong fingers,” said Rashid who bagged the inaugural Caribbean Premier League hat-trick last September.
“I think it is the action and speed I bowl which makes it harder for the batsman.”
Afghanistan and Ireland were awarded full ICC member status last June.