Rashid Khan is a Special Talent: Muttiah Muralitharan

Rashid Khan has impressed one and all. Even Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, who is the bowling coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, lavished praise on the rookie Afghanistan leg-spinner, terming him a "special talent". Rashid has already taken five wickets in two matches including 3/19 against Gujarat Lions in the second game. "I have seen (Rashid) only for a couple of days. We choose him because we saw him playing international cricket and bowling well against quality batsmen," Muralitharan said on the eve of Sunrisers third game against Mumbai Indians.

The highest wicket-taker in Tests and ODIs observed that the teenager's ability to bowl quicker through the air.

"We thought he (Rashid) is something special and different than other leg spinners, because he bowled little bit quicker than the others and he has variations," Murali said on Tuesday.

"He has played his part in the first two matches and done well for us. It is a good sign and we thought he will do well and he is fulfilling our expectations," the legendary spinner, who scalped 800 Test wickets, said.

Asked about dearth of Sri Lankan spinners in IPL, Murali rued that once they start producing quality tweakers, they will be picked up by IPL franchises.

A @rashidkhan_19 in good spirit throws some with an avant-garde touch. #OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/GAGfprCTk7

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 11, 2017

"Obviously, we don't have talent back home (in Sri Lanka). So actually, we are lacking (good players). We had great teams, great players but they all retired. New guys are coming up but until they perform, franchises won't pick them," Murali said.

The spin wizard also lauded IPL saying it has helped the Indian cricket.

For Murali, the private leagues like Natwest T20 Blast, Ram Slam T20 or Big Bash won't be big hits outside their regions unless top Indian players are allowed by BCCI to participate in these tourneys.

Well done @rashidkhan_19 1st MoM award for @SunRisersMany more to comeWhat do you say #orangearmy ?? https://t.co/7iRVLagVrr

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) April 9, 2017

While the Sri Lankan legend was all praise for Ravichandran Ashwin's form during India's home Test season, he would ideally like to judge him once the burly Tamil Nadu lad hits the road outside the sub-continent.

(With inputs from PTI)