New Delhi: One tweet by Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan, and Indians and Pakistanis online are not just offering him support and refuge but also a place in their national cricket teams. The fear that the new Taliban dispensation may disband the Afghanistan cricket team is fuelling these offers.
Like his fellow countrymen, Khan is disappointed and worried for his family over what is unfolding in Afghanistan. On 15 August, his one-word tweet was enough to get both Indians and Pakistanis to compete over which cricket team the all-rounder should be a part of—all speculations. Khan and fellow Afghan Mohammad Nabi are currently playing league cricket for Trent Rockets in the UK.
Peace ????????????
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) August 15, 2021
An Indian Twitter user asked Rashid to come to India, promising that he will be treated as an Indian citizen. Prayag Tiwari, a sports analyst, also asked Rashid to come to India.
Rashid bhai come to India we will treat u as our citizens
— Rohan Ingle (@ingley_rohan) August 15, 2021
Come to india rashid.
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) August 15, 2021
Several other Indians are already requesting the government on Twitter to give permanent residency to Rashid Khan so he gets to play for India.
Can India give permanent Residence to @rashidkhan_19
For playing cricket on the behalf of #BCCI
— Advocate Imran Mohd (@imranngh) August 16, 2021
If cricket gets banned in #Afghanistan. @BCCI should invite @rashidkhan_19 to play for India.#Kabul #KabulHasFallen
— Shambhv Narayan (@GSNarayano) August 15, 2021
Please come to India all the domestic and international cricketers for their safety , BCCI is already providing training facilities to Afghanistan national cricket team, they will do more needy if needed , it is an tentative solution for Afghanistan cricket , prey for peace
— Harshit Sharma (@Harshit_2205007) August 15, 2021
While Indians were requesting Khan to come to India, Pakistanis were not behind. A Pakistani Twitter user said if Taliban disbands the Afghan Cricket Board, they want Khan and Nabi to play for Pakistan.
If Taliban disban the Afghan Cricket Board we want @rashidkhan_19 & @MohammadNabi007 to play for Pakistan ??. @imranahmadkh do what's necessary #Kabul
— umair (@umair12103559) August 15, 2021
Another user seriously wished the Taliban ban cricket as it would benefit Pakistan win the T20 World Cup if the Afghan players joined them — “Agla T20 World cup apna” (next T20 world cup will be ours)”.
How great would it be if Taliban ban their cricket team and Rashid Khan joins Pakistan cricket team?Agla WT20 apna!!!#khayalipulao
— KB (@kamranbozai) August 16, 2021
Another user said the only bright side to the Afghanistan crisis would be Rashid Khan playing for Pakistan one day.
The only bright side to this is Rashid Khan playing for Pakistan one day hopefully, lessgoooo.@rashidkhan_19#Taliban #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/OrBPBEJk1h
— WASEEF NIAZI???? (@niazi_waseef) August 15, 2021
The two Afghan cricketers are scheduled to play 2021 IPL’s remaining matches in UAE from 19 September. However, it now seems uncertain given Kabul’s capture by the Taliban.
“It is too early to comment but we are keeping a watch. For us, nothing changes and we expect Rashid and other Afghan players would be part of IPL,” a senior BCCI official had told PTI. Both cricketers are part of Sunrisers Hyderabad.