Rashid Khan demands more international cricket for Afghanistan

Rashid Khan in action (PC: Twitter)

Afghanistan are not one of the frontrunners to win the Asia Cup 2022, but also not a team that can be taken lightly. On their day, Afghanistan can come out on top against the top ranked teams, and we have seen this happen before. 

In their opening game of the tournament, Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka after restricting them to a total of just 105 runs. With three wickets, pace bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi was the wrecker-in-chief and also the Player of the Match. 

Afghanistan want to play more international matches

Ahead of their Asia Cup clash against Bangladesh, star spin bowler Rashid Khan expressed the wish to play more international games, while also saying that whether Afghanistan as a team is taken seriously or not is not in their hands. 

“We want to play a lot of international cricket that gives youngsters the opportunity to play and get a chance. We all play different leagues but national duty comes first for your country. We want to focus on the next match and not think about the previous match. It is past. It is not in our hands that teams take us seriously or lightly."

Afghanistan played their tournament opener in Dubai, but their next game against Bangladesh is in Sharjah, where the playing conditions will be different. 

"We as players enjoy this kind of format. We are playing in Sharjah after a long time. We never think about any opposition whether it is weak or strong. Tomorrow if you play Hong Kong then the preparation is the same or if it is India then also it is the same,” Khan said.

Afghanistan are being led by veteran allrounder Mohammed Nabi, and possess a strong bowling attack and a few big hitting batsman who can help the team win against the better equipped teams like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

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