 "Adam Zampa")
Australia's Adam Zampa has heaped praise on Rashid Khan, saying the Afghanistan leg-spinner is a "once-in-a-lifetime" bowler.
Zampa, who has been included in the 15-man World Cup squad on the back of his strong showing against India and Pakistan, is now pushing for a place in the side for the tournament opener against Afghanistan on June 1 in Bristol.
The 27-year-old took 11 wickets in the five-match ODI series against India which Australia came from behind to win 3-2 and then claimed another seven scalps in the 5-0 success over Pakistan in the UAE.
In order to improve his game, Zampa admitted he made a point of watching other leg-spinners and categorised Rashid for a net session after a BBL match in Victoria.
"I had a bowl with Rash after the Stars v Strikers game this year," news.com.au quoted Zampa as saying. "I've always been intrigued by him and said: 'I am going to have a bowl with this guy'."
He said he went into the Strikers' room and asked Rashid to bowl with him at the nets to which the Afghan spin sensation agreed.
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"To his credit he spent about 45 minutes with me ... and I am so glad I did that because I now know I could never bowl like Rashid," said Zampa.
"Rashid Khan is a once-in-a-lifetime bowler," he added.
Khan, the number three ranked bowler in ODIs, has so far taken 125 wickets in 59 matches at an average of 15.33.
