Afghanistan’s leg-spinning sensation Rashid Khan has broken yet another record – this time as the youngest cricket captain in international cricket history.
This comes after regular team captain Asghar Stanikzai fell out of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers after emergency surgery on Monday to remove his appendix.
The team is currently in Zimbabwe ahead of the WC qualifiers which start this weekend. Afghanistan will however face West Indies on Tuesday in a warm up match.
In the past week, Rashid has scooped three records – first when he became the youngest No. 1 rank in One Day Internationals (ODI) and then as No.1 in T20Is.
The latest feather in his cap will see him lead his team as interim captain - at least for the early part of their qualifying campaign - until Stanikzai is well enough to return to the team.
The 19-year-old has had a triumphant few months after being named Associate Player of The Year for 2017.
He was also snapped up last month for $1.41 million USD by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL auction.
Following a 4-1 series victory against Zimbabwe earlier this month, Rashid said: "It feels good to see that Afghanistan is a favorite to qualify (for the WC)," said Khan.
"I think we should show it on the ground, it's not only on paper that we should look good.
"We have to take every match seriously. We have to play good cricket against every team. Hopefully it will go well and we will get four points and go to the next round."
Afghanistan open their campaign against Scotland in Bulawayo on Sunday, ahead of further Group B matches with Nepal, Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.
The tournament runs from March 4 to 25, with the two qualifiers to be decided by the end of the Super Six round on March 23.
The Afghan Cricket Board appointed Rashid Khan as the interim captain making him the youngest one in international cricket to hold the captaincy mantle. Rashid will be 19 years and 165 days old on March 4 when the CWCQ begins.
Prior to him, Rajin Saleh who led Bangladesh in the 2004 Champions Trophy at the age of 20 years and 297 days was the youngest skipper in men's international cricket.
Youngest captains in international cricket:
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) - 19 years 159 days
Rajin Saleh (Bangladesh) - 20 years 297 days
Rodney Trott (Bermuda) - 20 years 332 days
Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe) - 20 years 342 days
Nawab Pataudi (India) - 21 years 77 days