Rashid Khan is ready to take on T20 teammates Alex Carey and David Warner in World Cup

Afghanistan spin king Rashid Khan is happy to put the pressure on BBL and IPL teammates Alex Carey and David Warner ahead of the opening World Cup clash with Australia on June 1.

Adelaide Strikers Rashid Khan of the Strikers is congratulated by Colin Ingram and Alex Carey after dismissing Melbourne Renegades’ batsman Cameron White at GMHBA Stadium. Picture: Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

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Rashid Khan is parking deep admiration for Twenty20 teammates David Warner and Alex Carey as the brilliant leg-spinner goes big game hunting against Australia in Bristol.

Rashid will lead Afghanistan’s spin triumvirate including Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi in its June 1 World Cup opener against Australia.

Australia is publicly toying with splitting spin tandem Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon citing reduced turn at Bristol this season. It’s a ploy unlikely to influence or fool Afghanistan.

“Batsmen will be tested from both teams. The winner will be who controls their nerves in such conditions,” said Rashid with Australia to be spearheaded by mercurial Pat Cummins.

“First game in Bristol, we have a good spin bowling attack and they have a good fast bowling attack.

“We need to show the world we are not only good on paper.”

Rashid recalled how lighthearted mind games with Australian keeper-batsman Carey started during Strikers training at Adelaide Oval last summer.

“He came to me in a net session and said ‘Rash, it is the World Cup and you are bowling to me and you have four fielders outside, what is your feeling?,” ICC No. 1 ranked all-rounder Rashid quipped.

Rashid Khan of the Strikers celebrates a wicket with Colin Ingram and Alex Carey. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

“It will be quite interesting.”

Carey is arguably the only Australian who can pick the Afghan leg-spinner’s variations while it was Warner who labelled Rashid “million dollar baby” in his stellar, debut 2017 IPL season.

Rashid notes familiarity won’t replicate a centre wicket reality at the Bristol ground once owned by WG Grace.

“It is quite different batting in nets to a match. The scoreboard in a game puts pressure on you to make mistakes as a batsman and bowler as well,” said Rashid, Jason Gillespie’s crack Twenty20 signing for Adelaide and Sussex.

“I am pretty excited about it and hopefully experience in Australia and in County cricket will help us.

“It will be a good contest between Warne and Carey.”

Rashid is relishing a rumble with frenemies having just spent two months at Hyderabad Sunrisers alongside Warner and two seasons combining with Carey in Adelaide.

“We haven’t played against each other and I am quite excited about that,” said Rashid who took 17 wickets at 22 and peerless 6.2 economy rate this IPL season.

Rashid and Warner enjoy on-field banter but the boy from Nangarhar Province won’t turn on the comrade he “felt for” during the Sandpaper-gate furore.

“Being good teammates we will be relaxed, ‘be nice to me, I be nice to you’,” Rashid told The Advertiser.

Rashid Khan celebrates a wicket for Sunrisers Hyderabad with teammate David Warner. Picture: AFP

Honing in on Australia’s perceived weakness against the turning ball to win would validate Afghanistan as a mainstream title contender.

However, revitalised pair Warner and Steve Smith backed by away series wins against India then Pakistan bolstered confidence in a successful Australian title defence

“It is said Australia is weak on spin but they have good players of spin,” said Rashid who must quell in-form Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.

“It doesn’t matter if we play India or Australia, we do the basics right, don’t think the opposition is too strong.”

Originally published as Rashid Khan is ready to take on T20 teammates Alex Carey and David Warner in World Cup