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'He is a world-class bowler, it's great to have him. He always delivers in pressure situations.'
SunRisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner praised leg-spinner Rashid Khan after his superb showing with the ball against Kings XI Punjab on Thursday, saying it is great to have a bowler like him in the team.
A clinical SunRisers demolished Kings XI by 69 runs courtesy of half-centuries from openers Warner (52) and Jonny Bairstow (97).
Electing to bat, SunRisers posted a mammoth 201 for six in their 20 overs with the openers putting on 160 runs in 15.1 overs.
Rashid then ripped through the Kings XI batting line-up, with figures of 3-12, while left-arm pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Thangarasu Natarajan claimed two wickets each as Kings XI crashed for a lowly 132 in 16.5 overs.
Rashid was the pick of the SunRisers bowlers, as he bowled 13 dot balls in his four-over spell, while also taking the key wicket of Nicholas Pooran, who smashed a quickfire 77 from just 37 balls.
"I was a bit nervous while Nicholas was hitting it over the stands. I have always had high prospects of that kid. I was fortunate to play in Bangladesh with him. You always think, 'What can I do, how can I get him out?'
He is a world-class bowler, it's great to have him. He always delivers in pressure situations," Warner said after the match.
Australia's Warner said he enjoys playing second fiddle to England right-hander Jonny Bairstow.
"At the moment, I am just a rotating strike for him (Bairstow). We enjoy batting with each other. We tried to negate the swing by coming at them (KXIP bowlers). We have got a tough game against RR, a day game, have to start fresh again," he said.
After SunRisers skipper David Warner (52) and Jonny Bairstow (97) helped the their side post 201 runs on the board, Rashid Khan weaved his magic with the ball as Kings XI were bowled out for 132.
The Afghanistan spinner returned excellent figures of 3/12 which included the prized scalp of the dangerous Nicholas Pooran, who staged a brilliant counter-attack.
"I just trying my best to keep it simple, not putting too much pressure on myself just enjoying my bowling," Rashid said.
"On these wickets, you have to adjust yourself with the line and length which is the key. As soon I came and bowled the first three balls, I realised what is the right length on this wicket and how should I bowl.
"At the same time, you have to bowl according to the weakness of the batsmen and that is what I have been doing and got the success," he added.
Sunrisers were dealt double blows with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and senior pacer Bhuvneshar Kumar ruled out due to injuries but the Rashid remains optimistic about the youngsters coming good.
"It's a big loss for us - Marsh and Bhuvi - right at the start of the tournament but the youngsters are taking the responsibility."