By A.K.S. Satish
Dubai: He鈥檚 bowled in Bengaluru, bamboozled batters in Brisbane and bewildered crowds in Birmingham 鈥 but there鈥檚 only one city Rashid Khan truly calls home.The 26-year-old Afghanistan leg-spinner, who has dazzled fans in every major T20 league from the IPL to the Big Bash and The Hundred, says Dubai is the place where he feels most settled 鈥 a city that has shaped his growth both as a cricketer and a person..鈥淭he UAE has been like a spiritual home for Afghan cricket for many years, providing a safe haven and platform amid the challenges back home,鈥 Rashid said. 鈥淚 shifted to Dubai about seven to eight years ago. The city has done a lot for me.鈥.Rashid Khan is one of the world鈥檚 leading cricketers and a global ambassador of Afghan sports. Rashid Khan has represented Afghanistan on the international stage since 2015 and has featured in major T20 leagues around the world, including the IPL, BBL, and The Hundred. Rashid rose to become one of the most sought-after T20 players in the world 鈥 known for his fast, deceptive leg-spin and ability to win games under pressure..鈥淚 started my career here, played lots of cricket, and got better year by year,鈥 he said. 鈥淒ubai has given us so many opportunities. We come, play cricket and improve. It鈥檚 the safest city in the world, and that鈥檚 why I call it my second home.鈥.Best decision of his life.While the cricket calendar has taken him across continents, Dubai has always been his constant 鈥 the place he returns to between tournaments to rest, reset, and recharge.鈥淚 feel like investing in Dubai was the best decision 鈥 to live here, grow bigger and better. I鈥檝e received so much love and respect since I moved here.鈥.Nangarhar to global stardom.The comments came as Rashid was announced as a brand ambassador for MH Developers in Dubai, a move he described as both personal and professional. But true to form, the Afghanistan star shifted the focus back to cricket and gratitude.鈥淒ubai has helped me become who I am today,鈥 he said.From the streets of Nangarhar to global stardom, Rashid Khan鈥檚 story is one of resilience 鈥 and Dubai, he says, is where that story truly found stability.