Wonder man from Afghanistan Rashid Khan produced an all-round effort to guide Sunrisers Hyderabad to a 13-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the second qualifier at the Eden Gardens and take the visitors to the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018.
Rashid (34 not out off 10) first played a late cameo with the bat to help Sunrisers overcome a wobbly start and post a challenging 174 for seven and then returned with a 3/19 spell from his four overs to guide his side to their second IPL final appearance.
Besides his exploits with the bat and ball, Rashid grabbed two important catches at deep mid-wicket in the final over of the innings to emerge as the stand-out performer.
Sunrisers will now take on two-time champions Chennai Super Kings in the summit clash in Mumbai on Sunday.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the Rashid Khan show:
Always felt @rashidkhan_19 was a good spinner but now I wouldn’t hesitate in saying he is the best spinner in the world in this format. Mind you, he’s got some batting skills as well. Great guy.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 25, 2018
34 of 10 & 3-19 in a T-20. What a brilliant performance by @rashidkhan_19 ! He’s a very special talent & even the God of Cricket tweeted so 🙂 Great captaincy by @KanyWilliamson today. #KKRvsSRH #IPL2018
— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) May 25, 2018
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Big game, and @rashidkhan_19 was simply outstanding with both bat and ball. Has been a wonderful journey for us on our way to the finals and I wish the boys give it their everything and enjoy the finals. #KKRVSRH
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) May 25, 2018
Only one khan in cricket @rashidkhan_19 👏👏 #SRHvKKR #IPL2018Playoffs #leggiestrom💪 pic.twitter.com/zYQMOIRhfT
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) May 25, 2018
Deserved to be in the finals! @SunRisers … Rashid – what a match he’s had! so happy for Kane Williamson! It’s Gonna be one helluva final! #KKRvsSRH
— Ranveer Singh (@RanveerOfficial) May 25, 2018
Special performance from @rashidkhan_19 tonight, big game player! #superstar #SRH
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) May 25, 2018
This was @rashidkhan_19 ‘s day and when it is the day of a top player, his team invariably wins. Congratulations @SunRisers . The two top teams meet in the final on Sunday, must be a fascinating contest #KKRVSRH
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 25, 2018
When I say Rashid u say Khan . What a performance my brother @rashidkhan_19
— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) May 25, 2018
Even in dreams there is a touch of reality. So can’t even call that a dream performance by Rashid Khan. 👏👏👏🙏#IPL2018Playoffs
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 25, 2018
It was a good game for #KKR till Mr. Khan… Rashid Khan made his presence felt. #KKRvsSRH #Qualifier2 @IPL @rashidkhan_19 @SunRisers
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) May 25, 2018
King @rashidkhan_19 👑 you are sensational 👏🏼 well deserved place in finals @SunRisers great team performance throughout the tournament 👌🏻
— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) May 25, 2018
One man army @rashidkhan_19 @SunRisers @IPL 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/YxvLVJaqce
— Mohammad Nabi (@MohammadNabi007) May 25, 2018
Rashid Khan is turning out to be the Most Valuable Player in T20 format….across the world. Few will come close…. #IPL #KKRvSRH
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 25, 2018
Take a bow @rashidkhan_19… Whatta match by @SunRisers 👏Can't wait for Sunday!!! Congratulations to the whole team. 😊
Go #OrangeArmy #SRH— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) May 25, 2018
Pathhar se pani nikal nahi sakte Lekin @rashidkhan_19 aaj Wo bhi kar dete. Batting bowling fielding. Mind blowing effort #KKRvsSRH Goodluck to two best teams of this ipl2018 for the finals #CSKvSRH
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 25, 2018
What a great match last night.. feel really sad for @KKRiders but hats off to @rashidkhan_19 who slammed 34 in 10, bowled 4 overs for 19, took 3 crucial wickets, 2 catches & effected a run out.. a performance deserving of a victory.
And now for a cracking final. 🤞🏼— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) May 26, 2018
Great all round Performance from a Champion Bowler @rashidkhan_19. Congratulations @SunRisers on reaching the final of @IPL 2018 #KKRvSRH
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) May 25, 2018
Can't stop marvelling at Rashid Khan. Surely world's best T20 spinner. Not a mean bat & terrific fielder too. Game changer!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 25, 2018
Has anyone ever had a better T20 match? 35 off 10 balls. 3 for 18, and two catches. The best strike rate, the best economy rate, and the most wickets. Rashid Khan could have parted the sea today
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) May 25, 2018
A 19 year old spinner from Afghanistan carrying his team to the finals of the IPL. You couldn’t have scripted this better.
— Indranil Das Blah (@indranildasblah) May 25, 2018
SRH 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💥💥💥🔥🔥🎉🎉 yeahhhhh !!!!!!
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) May 25, 2018
Rashid Rashid everywhere #SRHvKKR
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) May 25, 2018
As a leg spinner I love seeing all the different types of leg spinners playing in the #IPL but watching @rashidkhan_19 bowl in these big games makes me proud as he loves this stage & pressure it also gets me excited ! 👍
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) May 25, 2018
Rashid Khan shines with both bat and ball#IPL2018 #SRHvKKR #KKRvSRH #Qualifier2 pic.twitter.com/P5tLk9AMd8
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) May 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/1000072224575864832
Kane Williamson to Rashid Khan. #KKRvSRH pic.twitter.com/rJTihxkI6x
— Karan Talwar (@BollywoodGandu) May 25, 2018
Rashid Khan is the first player in the IPL history to score 25 runs, take 3 wickets, hold 2 catches & effect a run-out in the same match.#KKRvSRH #SRHvKKR #IPL2018 #IPL
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) May 25, 2018
Bat: 34* (10), with 4 sixes
Ball: 3/19 in 4 overs
Field: 2 catches, 1 run outHe had the highest batting strike rate and also the best economy rate.
What an all-round performance from Rashid Khan! #SRHvKKR
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 25, 2018
Players to score 30+ runs, take 3+ wickets and 2 catches in an IPL match:
Ravindra Jadeja for CSK v KKR, Kolkata, 2013
JP Duminy for DD v SRH, Visakhapatnam, 2015
Ben Stokes for RPS v SRH, Hyderabad, 2017
RASHID KHAN for SRH v KKR, Kolkata, 2018*#SRHvKKR— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 25, 2018