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RASHID KHAN: I'M SO LUCKY TO HAVE KG AT MI CAPE TOWN
MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan is elated that Kagiso Rabada has been retained by the defending champions for Betway SA20 Season 4.
Rabada was signed up as a Wildcard as part of MI Cape Town’s six pre-signed players ahead of the auction on September 9 in Johannesburg.
The remaining six include Rashid, fellow Proteas Ryan Rickelton, Corbin Bosch and George Linde along with New Zealand swing bowler Trent Boult and West Indies dynamo Nicholas Pooran.
Rashid feels that Rabada, who claimed 4/25 in MI Cape Town’s Season 3 Final victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Wanderers, adds significant experience and leadership beyond his exceptional fast bowling capabilities.
“I'm so lucky to have someone like him. You know, we played together a lot. We played in MLC, we played in South Africa. So, it's always good to have someone, you know, in a leadership group as well to give you that kind of positive energy,” said the Afghanistan superstar.
“As a captain, you need that from someone from in South Africa, like, you know, having so much of experience playing for South Africa, playing so much Test cricket and that experience really, really helps.
“And I'm always like, you know, someone who is asking him and giving, taking those important suggestions from him.
MI Cape Town captain Rashid Khan is elated that Kagiso Rabada has been retained by the defending champions for Betway SA20 Season 4.
“So, he always helps, he's always there. He's someone giving you always that kind of positive energy around the team when he's around the team.
“And I think, you know, whenever I speak to him, we talk, I think it's, it's always very, very positive and productive. So, I'm so, so lucky to have him around at that time.”
Rashid has certainly enjoyed his time at MI Cape Town, whilst developing an ever-lasting affection for the city particularly.
A mega superstar back in his home country Afghanistan where he is flocked by thousands whenever he sets foot outside, Rashid enjoys the freedom of being able to experience the beautiful scenery of Cape Town, shopping at the various major malls and feast on the delectable food options available.
He feels this balanced life keeps him motivated for the challenges ahead.
“It is a special place now, especially when you win a trophy for them as well,” he said.
“It becomes more special now. But I really enjoy my time in Cape Town. It's the best place, beautiful place.
“You go outside, you go to the Waterfront, you go for shopping there, you go to the restaurant there.
Rashid has certainly enjoyed his time at MI Cape Town, whilst developing an ever-lasting affection for the city particularly.
“And that's something which makes me fresh, makes me ready for the next game to go out, have food outside.
“There’s some beautiful restaurants, nice food, very nice food there in the Waterfront, some Turkish food, which I love the most.
“I really had the best time in Cape Town and I enjoyed that. So I always want to go to Cape Town. It's one of the beautiful, beautiful places to play cricket and also to go around and it's a beautiful place for everyone to come and see.”
Rashid has a hectic schedule playing in various T20 leagues around the world prior to arriving at Betway SA20 for the opening game of MI Cape Town’s title defence at Newlands on December 26, but he will certainly be keeping an eye on the September 9 auction for the assembling of the full 19-player squad.
“You will always love to watch, you know, you are in touch, you're watching the auction,” he said.
“Yeah, definitely, I will be somewhere sitting in and see how things go. And see if we have a productive and good auction.”
