NEWS
Follow UsAfghanistan pulled off one of the most incredible victories in their history when they beat Australia by 21 runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8s match in St Vincent on June 22 (Saturday).
Afghanistan had previously suffered a heartbreak when Glenn Maxwell's double century against them in the 2023 World Cup in India, and with the way he was going, it looked as though history would repeat itself.
Skipper Rashid Khan has since admitted on many occasions that he had sleepless nights following that game in Mumbai. However, following his side's victory at the T20 World Cup, Rashid says he will sleep far better now.
"I think I can sleep better now," Rashid said at the post-match press conference.
"But that was a night which didn't let me sleep. The game kept coming into my mind and it was 90-plus percent we were in the game and Maxi the way he played that night took the game away from us and definitely I didn't sleep the whole night, and I feel like tonight because of the happiness I won't be able to sleep.
"That's how happy the whole team is in the whole country. And it's a massive win for us as a team, as a nation. It's not just like a bilateral game. It's a World Cup game, and definitely, in a World Cup, you're beating the best side. It's a great achievement. And you're the winners of the 2021 World Cup. So, beating a team like that, I think it always gives you so much energy and doesn't let you to sleep as well."
Australia were sloppy in the field today. They misfielded on multiple occasions, missed run-out opportunities and also dropped a couple of catches that allowed Afghanistan to post an above-par total of 148/6. However, Afghanistan looked switched on from the first ball and did not let their intensity dip. Rashid says fielding is more critical than batting and bowling, especially in T20s.
"I think fielding is something very important. It plays a massive role in the game," Rashid, who finished with figures of 1/23, said.
"Either you play T20 or ODI, but fielding is something which is under our control. You have to put the effort in once you have that bad day in the fielding. It always keeps you away from the game, and I think in T20, especially a short format where you make those small mistakes, it's pretty hard for you to come back.
"In ODI, yes, you have 50 overs where you can have the comeback. But I think in T20, you don't have any excuse. You don't have any space where you can come back again into the game. And definitely, I think fielding plays a crucial role as batting and bowling. To me, batting and bowling is 25-25%. 50% is something which is fielding. If you lose something in that, it does make you to a losing side."
In the recent past, Australia have backed out from playing a bilateral series against Afghanistan in the UAE on multiple occasions due to the ongoing ill-treatment of women in Afghanistan under the Taliban government. However, Rashid says cricket is the only thing that brings joy back home and further questions why the two countries cannot play a bilateral series when they can play at the World Cup.
"People back home, they love sports. Cricket is the only source of happiness back home. That's the only source left in Afghanistan where people could celebrate. And if we keep that source away from us as well, I don't know where Afghanistan will remain," Rashid said.
"Sports bring the nation together and bring everyone together. So, for me, we're always happy to play against any side, and that's the only way where our cricket can improve day-by-day. Some things are not under the control of anyone in cricket, and that's something we can't do anything about. Wish we could do something, and wish that was a kind of solution for it, we would have been happy, but I don't know what's the solution for that.
"Whenever I go to Australia in Big Bash, I think I have got so much love and support from the fans there. They have given me so much love. Even though in the 2022 World Cup, when we were playing in Adelaide against Australia, I got more support than them. And that was so satisfying.
"If we play in World Cup, why don't we play in bilateral series? I think we're happy to play against the best side. We learn from them. We get better day by day. But that's the only thing I can say."
With the win over Australia, Afghanistan still have a chance to progress to the semi-final. They take on Bangladesh next in St Vincent on June 24 (Monday), knowing very well that even a win may not be good enough.
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