'Keep Khan and take wickets' - Rashid Khan strikes after seeing crowd's witty banner in BBL 2019-20

There is no doubt that leg-spinner Rashid Khan is one of the most sought after properties in franchise cricket. The precociously talented Afghanistan leg-spinner has proved his mettle in franchise-based Twenty20 tournaments all around the world.

Rashid is currently enthralling the folklore at the ongoing Big Bash League where he is plying his trade for the Adelaide Strikers. One of the best spinners going around in white-ball cricket, Rashid does not fail to impress whenever he takes the field. And, Wednesday was no different. 

Rashid has a huge fan following no matter where he plays and on Wednesday during the Adelaide Strikers home game against table-toppers Melbourne Stars, a group of fans came up with a special banner to spur on the champion bowler. Rashid was brought on to bowl by his captain Alex Carey in the final over of the powerplay when in-between the overs, the camera zoomed in to a special message that read: “Keep Khan and take wickets”

Sage advice #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/NogSncIKXa

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 22, 2020

The banner immediately caught Rashid Khan’s eyes and it was enough to further motivate the leg-spinning sensation. Khan proceeded to bamboozled Nic Maddison with a fullish turning delivery, deceiving the left-hander through the gates on just the second delivery of his very first over.

Rashid then proceeded to bowl four economical overs where he gave away just 24 runs as the home side notched up their third consecutive win, consigning the Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars to their second consecutive defeat in the tournament.

Adelaide Strikers consign Melbourne Stars to their second defeat of the season

Earlier, Adelaide Strikers batted first and on the back of an unbeaten 72-run-stand between Jonathan Wells [55 not-out off 36 balls] and Matthew Short [23 off 15 balls] posted what looked like a sub-par total of 4-162.

Defending 163 against a strong Melbourne Stars batting line-up, the Strikers needed wickets at the top, which is exactly what they got from Peter Siddle [4-33], Wes Agar [2-30] and Rashid Khan [1-24]. Captain Peter Handscomb played a valiant knock of 65 not-out of 39 balls- an innings which included six fours and two sixes but ultimately he ran out support from the other end, as the Strikers romped home by 11 runs.

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