From a war-torn village in Afghanistan to the world's biggest cricket stadiums what does Rashid Khan think really matters in life?
In this episode of The Parenting Pause's Inspiration Series, Naina sits down with Rashid Khan Afghanistan and Gujarat Titans legend, ICC #1 ranked bowler, and now a new father to baby Azlan for a conversation about the difficult journey, defining values, and quiet inspiration behind one of cricket's greatest ever careers.
From making his bat out of wood and his ball out of melted plastic in a village in Afghanistan, to facing three balls in a trial and walking home rejected Rashid's story is less about cricket and more about character.
🎙️ What you'll hear in this episode:
– Why Rashid says "who I am is because of her" and what his mother actually taught him
– How he processed rejection at 15 without crumbling and what parents can take from it
– The mindset behind his mental strength: "My parents saw bullets. I see a ball."
– 4 values he lives by good heart, kindness, solution-orientation, and honesty
– Why personal milestones only come when you stop chasing them
– What he wants to pass on to his son Azlan
Whether you're a cricket fan, a parent, or both this one will stay with yo
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About The Host: A true Mumbaikar at heart, Naina Sharma studied Management and Finance at the Wharton School before embarking on a career with the World Bank. She is passionate about creating impact and finding purpose in both her work and everyday life. Kindness is her guiding principle, and she believes that meaningful conversations can inspire positive change. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her enjoying a cup of chai, spending time with family, or planning her next travel adventure.
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## Chapters
0:00 Introduction who is Rashid Khan?
1:30 Growing up in Afghanistan family, safety, and what home felt like
9:58 "Who I am is because of her" his mother's role and her blessings
18:31 Making a bat from wood and a ball from melted plastic
24:09 Naina's takeaway: let kids follow their passion and problem-solve
28:46 He waited 2 hours, faced 3 balls, got rejected and went home
40:10 The net session that changed everything
52:50 4 values every parent should pass on
58:40 Personal milestones only come when you think about the team
1:03:30 500 good games, 20 bad ones and everyone forgot the 500
1:08:19 "My parents saw bullets. I see a ball."
1:19:01 The values Rashid wants to pass on to his son