WATCH: Star bowler's splendid performance help Oval Invincibles beat London Spirit at The Hundred

The 2025 edition of The Hundred started with a bang as Oval Invincibles secured a dominant six-wicket victory over London Spirit at Lord’s on August 5. But more than the win itself, the spotlight was firmly on Rashid Khan, whose spellbinding bowling dismantled the Spirit’s hopes and set the tone for the tournament.

Opting to bowl first, the Invincibles put on a clinical display, skittling the Spirit for a paltry 80 all out, one of the lowest totals in the competition’s history. Rashid Khan, making his debut for the Oval side, was at the heart of the carnage. The Afghan leg-spinner delivered a stunning spell, finishing with figures of 3 wickets for just 11 runs in 20 balls. His economy rate of 0.55 was a masterclass in control and variation.

Rashid’s victims included Wayne Madsen, Liam Dawson, and Ryan Higgins, each undone by a different variation in his arsenal. Madsen was caught reverse sweeping, Dawson was trapped lbw by a faster one, and Higgins fell to a beautifully disguised googly. Rashid’s efforts didn’t just dent the Spirit’s innings; they made history. He became the leading wicket-taker in T20 history, crossing 650 career wickets, a milestone no other bowler has achieved.

Speaking after the game, Rashid said, “It was nice to get off to a winning start, it was good to perform for the side. Physically and mentally, to get myself ready for the next competition, IPL is a long tournament, and it helped me to think about how to prepare going ahead. It was a good surface, there was spin on offer, and when I was bowling, I was trying to hit the right areas. I mixed things up and it worked out well.” Sam Curran also played a key role with the ball, picking up 3 for 18, while Jordan Clark chipped in with two wickets. The collapse was swift and ruthless, leaving London Spirit stunned and their fans quiet.

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Chasing just 81, the Invincibles knocked off the target in 69 balls, thanks to contributions from Will Jacks, Donovan Ferreira, and Sam Billings. The six-wicket win, completed with over 30 balls to spare, was as emphatic as it gets. For Oval Invincibles, this was more than a win; it was a statement. And for Rashid Khan, it was a reminder to the cricketing world that the magician with the ball is still very much at the peak of his powers.