Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan Tuesday endured the ignominy of becoming the most expensive bowler in World Cup history during their match against hosts England at Old Trafford here.
Rashid Khan, the world’s No.3 ODI bowler, leaked 110 runsoff nine overs as England racked up a gigantic 397 for six after electing tobat.
The 20-year-old spinner, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabadin Indian Premier League, was in the firing line of English batsmen Eoin Morgan(148), Jonny Bairstow (90) and Joe Root (88) on a flat pitch here.
The record earlier belonged to New Zealand’s Martin Snedden,who had conceded 105 runs for two wickets against England in the 1983 WorldCup.
Ahead of this match, Rashid had taken one for 52 againstAustralia, before snapping two for 17 against Sri Lanka. He leaked 45 runswithout taking a wicket against South Africa.
Rashid’s woeful figures also makes him the joint second mostexpensive in ODI history. Pakistan’s left-arm Wahab Riaz had leaked 110 runs in10 overs against England in August 2016.
The leg-spinner came in for sharp criticism from Icelandcricket.
“We’ve just heard that Rashid Khan has scoredAfghanistan’s first century of the #CWC19! Wow! 110 from 56 balls. The mostruns ever scored by a bowler in the World Cup or something. Well batted youngman. #ENGvAFG #AFGvENG,” read a tweet by Iceland cricket.
However, former England all-rounder Luke Wright and pacerStuart Broad came out in support of the bowler.
“Rubbish tweet. Rather than trying to be funny why notbe respectful to someone that has done so much for cricket and especiallyassociate members,” wrote Wright in his handle.While Broad wrote: “He is a world classbowler & a delight to watch. Everyone has bad days in our sport.”Overall, Rashid has taken 128 wickets in 63 ODIs and 75 scalps from 38 T20Is.