New Delhi, Jul 6: Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan was on Tuesday appointed captain of Afghanistan's T20 team by the country's cricket board keeping in mind the shortest format World Cup to be held in UAE from October 17 to November 14.

Left-handed batsman Najibullah Zadran was appointed as the vice-captain of the team.

"All-rounder Rashid Khan has been appointed the T20I captain of Team Afghanistan. Meanwhile Najibullah Zadran has been appointed the National Team's Vice-captain for the format," Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

"Rashid, one of the well-known global faces of the game, was selected by senior ACB leadership led by ACB Chairman Farhan Yousefzai, for the role considering his experience, brilliant performance as well as leadership skills with the National team over the years."

Rashid, who is ranked world no 2 among bowlers in T20Is, said he is honoured to serve his nation.

"I'm a great believer that a captain is as good as his team. It is Afghanistan that gave me the name RASHID KHAN & it is my duty now to serve my country & my team. Thank you @ACBofficials for the trust & believing in me. It is a dream journey & my fans support will be the key," Rashid tweeted.

Interestingly, Rashid had earlier declined Afghanistan's T20I captaincy, saying that he believes he is more valuable as a player than as a leader.

In 2019, the 22-year-old was named captain across formats but was later replaced by Asghar Afghan in December following Afghanistan's loss to West Indies in a one-off Test and ODI series.

Afghanistan has been clubbed with England, India and South Africa in group B for the T20 World Cup 2021. The remaining two teams will be chosen from the Qualifiers.

The 2021 edition of the tournament was recently shifted to UAE from India due to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

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Wayanad(Kerala) (PTI): Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday took part in various official and outreach programmes, including inaugurating a health laboratory, in her Lok Sabha constituency.

Vadra, who is in Kerala on a three-day visit, inaugurated a health laboratory in Malappuram that was set up by the Kalikavu Service Cooperative Bank.

Later in the day, she interacted with potters at Nilambur, held a meeting with the Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) state president T P Abdullah Koya Madani at Edavanna and met locals at Wayanad Churam (tunnel) bypass road at Chippilithode.

Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM) is an Islamic reformist organisation.

The pottery workers, who presented Vadra with several gifts made by them, told the Congress MP about the difficulties faced by them in their profession.

She assured them that she will work on their issues.

Regarding the Wayanad Churam bypass road, the Congress MP told the people that she has already spoken to the Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari who has constituted a committee for a study to explore what is possible here and what is not.

She said that she will request for expediting the process.