Published: Jan 16, 2024, 06:54 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 16, 2024, 06:55 PM (IST)
On Sunday, January 14, Rahman Hekmat made history as the first cricketer of Afghan descent to represent New Zealand at any level of international cricket. In a warm-up match for the U-19 World Cup 2024, the 18-year-old leg-spinner represented New Zealand U-19s against the West Indies U-19s.
Hekmat did neither bat or bowl throughout the game, but he could get the chance to show off his skills in subsequent games. Hekmat was born in Pakistan, later relocated to Afghanistan, and finally made his home in New Zealand. Not many fans would be aware of this. Shah Rukh Khan, a Bollywood star, is adored by his parents.
Rahman Hekmat told The Indian Express how he become a leg-spinner in a conversation. He mentioned Rashid Khan and Shane Warne as his heroes.
“My idols are Shane Warne and Rashid Khan. Warne is the greatest of all time. Rashid Khan is an Afghani and got a quick leg break and wrong’un. The thing is I also love to bowl quite a few googlies like Rashid.
“Over the years, when my cricketing knowledge improved, I started following other wrist-spinners as well. I look up to Ish Sodhi, Adam Zampa, and Adil Rashid,” he added.
Hekmat said in closing that each leg-spinner has a distinct flair of their own. He makes an effort to watch each one and pick up any knowledge he can.
Rahman Hekmat disclosed in the same interview that, like Rashid Khan, he enjoys smashing the ball hard. The young player acknowledged that he still needed to improve his batting technique, though.
“I like to hit here and there like Rashid, but I still need to work a lot on my batting. But whenever the ball is in my area, I try to hit it for a six,” he concluded.
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