Jos Buttler hails Adil Rashid as England's 'most important player' after Super 8 win over West Indies at ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Adil Rashid managed figures of 1/21 against West Indies and dismissed Andre Russell.

While Phil Salt stole the headlines, and deservedly so, with his belligerent knock of 87* (47) in England’s Super 8 match victory against West Indies, skipper Jos Buttler gave huge appreciation to leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Buttler hailed Rashid as the “most important player” in England’s side after the defending champions started Super 8 with a bang.

In a high-scoring ENG vs WI encounter at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia, Rashid returned with terrific figures of 1/21 in four overs.

He took the wicket of the dangerous Andre Russell in the 17th over, the batter holing out at long-on while trying to smash Rashid for a six. Rashid conceded only two runs in the 17th over, which played a huge role in England restricting West Indies to 180.

Adil Rashid has got so much threat of taking wickets: Jos Buttler

In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Rashid has snapped six wickets and maintained an impressive economy of 8.00. While playing alongside the world-class power-hitters, Rashid’s miserly spells often go under the radar.

But the England skipper made a conscious effort to laud Rashid in front of everyone in the post-match presentation.

“We keep saying [Rashid] is our most important player, he really has been for a long time. He’s got so much variation and so much threat of taking wickets and also restricting runs,” Buttler said.

Rashid played a key role in England winning the 2019 World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup. He’s earned the trust of Buttler to bowl him even in the death overs. The 36-year-old leg-spinner has picked up 116 T20I wickets and 199 ODI wickets.

England will next face South Africa on Friday at the same venue as they played West Indies. A win over the Proteas will take them close to the semi-finals.

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