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Cricket World Player of the Week - Rashid Khan

©CWM

It doesn't come as a surprise to anyone but Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan, arguably the best T20 bowler in the world, lit up another week in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

The Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs after their 34-run win against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on May 15.

Three players who have shouldered the team's consistency this year are Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan. Rashid, in particular, has been a cut above the rest.

Khan's most striking performance this week came against Mumbai Indians. The match between Gujarat and Mumbai was in danger of turning out to be a damp squib after the visitors were reduced to 103/8, chasing a huge target of 219 runs.

It was courtesy of Suryakumar Yadav's scintillating century (his first in the IPL) that MI were successful in posting the above par total despite Rashid's brilliant figures of 4/30. After delivering with the ball, Rashid showed his prowess with the bat as well as the all-rounder - safe to call him that - smashed an unbeaten 79 off just 32 balls to keep the game alive.

GT may not have been able to get over the line but Rashid ensured that their NRR did not take a beating.

The Afghan is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2023 alongside teammate Mohammed Shami with 23 wickets from 13 games.

This will be one of the most memorable innings ??

Thank you for your love and support ????#AavaDe #GujaratTitans #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/yTsULGeuMW
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) May 12, 2023