Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan, IAF skydivers lauded by PM

Afghan bowler Rashid Khan and air force skydivers who performed yoga mid-air, today came in for praise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Bowler Rashid Khan performed exceedingly well in the IPL earlier this year," he said, recalling Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's words on Twitter that the people of Afghanistan were extremely proud of their hero Rashid.

No, we are not giving him to anyone, Modi quoted Ghani as saying in the latest edition of his 'Mann ki Baat' radio address.

Referring to Afghanistan's first international test with India in Bengaluru, he said he will cherish it for a "special reason".

Modi said the Indian team did something "that is exemplary for the whole world." The Indian team, while receiving the trophy, warmly invited the Afghan team which had played its first international match to together pose for photographs, he recalled.

"This incident exemplifies the very spirit of sportsmanship. Sports is an excellent route to unite society and to showcase the talents and skills of our youth. I sincerely hope, that in future too, we will play with each other with the best sportsman spirit and shine together," he said.

The prime minister also mentioned the various programmes held the world over to mark the 4th International Day of Yoga.

Referring to the events, Modi praised air force personnel who "astounded everyone by performing yogasans in mid-sky, some 15,ooo feet above the earth".

"Spectacular was the fact that they achieved this feat not inside an airplane but while floating mid-air," Modi said.