Daijiworld Media Network - Kabul
Kabul, Apr 20: Star Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan has revealed that he turned down offers of citizenship from India and Australia, choosing instead to continue representing Afghanistan.
In a new book titled Rashid Khan: From Streets to Stardom, set to be released on Monday, Rashid told author Mohammad Haand Jafar that both countries had approached him with offers to switch allegiance.
“I received such offers from both Australia and India. But I told them, ‘If I don’t play for my country, I won’t play for any other country either,’” he said, according to reports.
Rashid elaborated on the Indian approach, which he said took place during the 2023 season of the Indian Premier League, where he plays for Gujarat Titans.
He recalled being invited to meet a senior official from the Indian cricket board, who suggested he consider settling in India and playing cricket there. “He said the situation in your country is very bad. Come stay in India. We will give you Indian documents, live here, play cricket here,” Rashid said, adding that he politely declined the offer and reaffirmed his commitment to Afghanistan.
Rashid’s loyalty to his country has been evident earlier as well. During the 2018 IPL season, while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Kolkata Knight Riders, he delivered a standout all-round performance, scoring 34 off 10 balls and taking three wickets.
The performance triggered calls on social media in India urging the government to grant him citizenship, with users tagging then External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Responding to the posts, Swaraj clarified that citizenship matters fall under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The issue also drew a response from former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who described Rashid as a matter of national pride and said he would not be given to another country. Rashid later thanked him and reiterated his commitment to representing Afghanistan.
The book traces Rashid’s journey from Nangarhar to the international stage, detailing his early struggles, including missing out on an Afghanistan Under-19 trial, before rising to become one of the country’s leading cricketers. He was also named the ICC Player of the Decade in 2020.