Rashid Khan has changed the way modern cricket views leg-spin. Instead of relying on the high flight traditionally associated with wrist-spin, the Afghanistan star uses a rapid, high-arm action that gives batters very little time to react.
His combination of pace, accuracy and deceptive variations has made him a match-winner in international cricket and major T20 leagues. From a remarkable 7/18 against the West Indies to his first IPL hat-trick, Rashid has produced spells across formats that stand out for both their statistics and match impact.
Here are the top 5 best bowling performances of Rashid Khan, ranked by the quality of the spell, match situation and significance of the performance.
Rashid Khan's Top 5 Bowling Performances
Rank | Opponent | Format/Event | Bowling Figures | Overs | Economy | Key Impact |
1 | West Indies | ODI, 2017 | 7/18 | 8.4 | 2.07 | Best ODI figures by an Associate player |
2 | Ireland | T20I, 2017 | 5/3 | 2.0 | 1.50 | Five wickets in 10 legitimate deliveries |
3 | Zimbabwe | Test, 2021 | 7/66 | 36.0 | 1.83 | Part of an 11-wicket match haul |
4 | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL, 2018 | 3/19 | 4.0 | 4.75 | Match-winning Qualifier 2 spell |
5 | Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL, 2023 | 3/37 | 4.0 | 9.25 | First IPL hat-trick |
1. 7/18 vs West Indies — ODI, Gros Islet, 2017
Rashid Khan's 7/18 against the West Indies remains the defining performance on this list.
Afghanistan defended a modest total of 212, but the West Indies had the experience and batting strength to make the chase difficult. Rashid changed the contest almost single-handedly, taking seven wickets for only 18 runs in 8.4 overs.
He entered the attack as the sixth bowler and immediately put pressure on the middle and lower order. His combination of quick googlies and leg-breaks made it difficult for batters to settle.
The pitch offered useful bounce, allowing Rashid to attack with a flatter trajectory while maintaining significant pace. His deliveries reportedly exceeded 95 km/h, leaving little time for batters to adjust their shots.
Match context:
Afghanistan: 212/6
West Indies: 149 all out
Rashid Khan: 7/18 in 8.4 overs
Economy rate: 2.07
The spell accounted for seven of West Indies' 10 wickets and helped Afghanistan bowl them out in 44.4 overs. At the time, it was the best ODI bowling performance by a spinner from a non-full-member nation and remains one of the standout spells of Rashid's international career.
2. 5/3 vs Ireland — T20I, Greater Noida, 2017
Rashid's 5/3 against Ireland is arguably his most efficient T20I bowling performance.
In just two overs, he conceded three runs and claimed five wickets. Even more remarkable, those five wickets came from only 10 legitimate deliveries.
Rain had interrupted the match and altered the target under the Duckworth-Lewis method. Ireland had been progressing before Rashid entered the attack, but the leg-spinner rapidly dismantled the batting order.
His spell included a hat-trick across two separate overs. Rather than giving batters opportunities to attack through width, Rashid focused on the stumps and used his pace to reduce their reaction time.
The numbers tell the story:
Overs: 2
Runs conceded: 3
Wickets: 5
Economy rate: 1.50
Wickets in 10 legitimate deliveries
T20 cricket generally gives bowlers little margin for error because batters are expected to attack. Rashid turned that principle on its head by creating pressure with speed, accuracy and variations.
3. 7/66 vs Zimbabwe — Test, Abu Dhabi, 2021
Rashid Khan's reputation was built largely around limited-overs cricket, but his Test performances showed that his skill set could also translate into the longest format.
Against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021, he produced his best single-innings Test figures: 7/66.
The spell came after he had already bowled heavily in the match. Rashid finished with an extraordinary workload of 99.2 overs across Zimbabwe's two innings, including 4/138 in the first innings.
His second-innings effort was the decisive contribution. He returned with sustained accuracy and claimed seven wickets for 66 runs, completing an 11-wicket match haul.
Test performance:
First innings: 4/138
Second innings: 7/66
Match wickets: 11
Second-innings overs: 36
Economy rate: 1.83
The performance demonstrated a different side of Rashid's bowling. In T20 cricket, his greatest weapon is often his ability to attack quickly. In Test cricket, he had to maintain his control over much longer spells while operating in demanding conditions.
That combination of endurance and wrist-spin skill made the performance particularly significant in Afghanistan's Test history.
4. 3/19 vs Kolkata Knight Riders — IPL Qualifier 2, 2018
Rashid Khan's 3/19 against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL Qualifier 2 remains one of his most complete franchise performances.
Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rashid delivered with the ball, contributed a late burst with the bat and made important contributions in the field as SRH secured their place in the IPL final.
His bowling figures were:
Overs: 4
Runs: 19
Wickets: 3
Dot balls: 11
He removed Robin Uthappa, Chris Lynn and Andre Russell, breaking up KKR's chase at crucial moments.
His contribution extended beyond bowling. Rashid scored an unbeaten 34 from 10 balls and also recorded two catches and a run-out.
The dismissal of Russell was particularly important. Rashid's wrong'un induced an outside edge that was taken at slip, helping close out a crucial stage of the chase.
This performance stands out because it was not simply an excellent bowling spell. Rashid influenced the match in all three disciplines during a high-pressure knockout game.
5. 3/37 vs Kolkata Knight Riders — IPL, 2023
Rashid's 3/37 against KKR in the 2023 IPL was more expensive than the other spells on this list, but its significance comes from what happened in his final over.
Standing in as Gujarat Titans captain, Rashid produced the first IPL hat-trick of his career. Three consecutive wickets transformed the match and gave Gujarat Titans a dramatic boost.
The hat-trick sequence was:
Andre Russell — caught behind off a googly.
Sunil Narine — caught at deep mid-wicket off another wrong'un.
Shardul Thakur — trapped lbw by a leg-break.
The spell ultimately finished at 3/37 from four overs.
The economy rate of 9.25 was not typical of Rashid's most economical performances, but judging the spell only by runs conceded would miss its defining moment. Three wickets in three deliveries changed the pressure of the contest and added another major milestone to his IPL career.
What Makes Rashid Khan Such a Difficult Bowler to Face?
Rashid's effectiveness comes from more than simply turning the ball. His bowling combines speed, deception and control.
Rapid Arm Speed
Rashid delivers his leg-breaks and googlies with a remarkably quick action. The lack of a major difference in his arm speed makes it harder for batters to identify the variation before the ball leaves his hand.
Quick Leg-Spin and Googlies
His variations can arrive faster than many conventional leg-spinners. The combination of a quick googly and skidding leg-break reduces the amount of time available to adjust after the ball pitches.
Direct Attack on the Stumps
Rashid frequently attacks the stumps rather than relying exclusively on turn or flight. This keeps lbw and bowled dismissals in play while limiting the areas where batters can safely score.
Why These Five Rashid Khan Spells Stand Out
Each performance highlights a different aspect of his bowling career.
7/18 vs West Indies: His signature ODI spell and a landmark performance for Afghanistan.
5/3 vs Ireland: Extraordinary T20I efficiency and five wickets from 10 legitimate deliveries.
7/66 vs Zimbabwe: Proof of his ability to sustain pressure in Test cricket.
3/19 vs KKR: A complete IPL knockout performance involving bowling, batting and fielding.
3/37 vs KKR: A memorable IPL milestone featuring his first hat-trick.
Together, they show why Rashid has been so effective across formats and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Rashid Khan's best ODI bowling figures?
Rashid Khan's best ODI figures are 7/18 against the West Indies, recorded on June 9, 2017, at Gros Islet.
Has Rashid Khan taken an IPL hat-trick?
Yes. Rashid Khan took his first IPL hat-trick for Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders during the 2023 season.
What makes Rashid Khan's googly difficult to read?
Rashid maintains a very similar rapid arm action when delivering his variations. That makes it difficult for batters to identify the googly before the ball is released.
What are Rashid Khan's best Test bowling figures?
Rashid's best Test innings figures are 7/66 against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021. He also took four wickets in the first innings to finish the match with 11 wickets.
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