Rashid Khan made a big mistake of not listening to doctors and his career was the verge of ending had his back surgery not gone right. The champion spinner was experiencing pain in his back before the World Cup and the doctor suggested him to go under the knife but he refused to play for Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023.
The condition of his back became critical after the global event. “I was in pain before the World Cup and the doctor suggested me to skip the tournament and go for surgery.
“However, I said no as I never wanted to miss the World Cup. The doctors were concerned as my workload would increase, considering it was a fifty-over tournament,” he told ESPNcricinfo.
Rashid could barely move properly in the last three games.
“I made a mistake of celebrating after Afghanistan defeated Pakistan. I danced in the team bus and continued to enjoy at the team hotel. My teammates were surprised to see me in that avatar.
“My physio told me to take it easy but I didn’t listen. The next morning I was in complete pain. The team physio stared at me. I was given the option to skip the matches but I didn’t accept.
“I couldn’t bent, walk and practice. However, I participated in the matches with the help of painkillers. When my two MRIs were done after the World Cup, the doctors showed me how much bigger the disc bulge has become.
“Doctors told me that my career would end prematurely if the surgery didn’t go right. I had to sign that undertaking. I was nervous and didn’t inform my family about the surgery. When I came out of the surgery I felt no pain.
“The rehab period was the toughest but I was given confidence by GT head coach Ashish Nehra and others. I was happy after returning to the cricket field,” he added.
He is currently playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League 2024.
