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Follow UsAfghanistan have produced many world-class cricketers over the years, but an elusive silverware or a defining streak of wins in world events has remained far and few in between. Hence, when they beat New Zealand with a spectacular all-round performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Guyana, the entire unit broke into a dance and celebrated like crazy.
Rashid Khan was euphoric about the win and stated that it was one of their greatest victories in the shortest format of the game.
“Definitely I think it's one of the greatest victories for us, especially in T20, you know we haven't had those victories in T20 World Cups. We had in ODIs, but in T20 I feel like this was one of the best performances from the guys, and it's not just about a single guy you know, winning the game. It's a great team effort the way Gurbaz and Ibrahim started the innings,” Rashid said in the post-match press conference.
After posting 159/6 in the first innings thanks to Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s 103-run partnership up front, Afghanistan bowlers, especially Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid himself, didn’t leave any stone unturned to keep the Kiwis in check.
The duo shared eight wickets between them as New Zealand were bundled out for a paltry 75, losing the game by a humongous 84 runs. Rashid applauded his side for showing extreme game understanding and applying themselves in crucial junctures.
“They took their time and they knew like you know what they're doing. They knew what are my skills and, where I could score runs and where I could attack. And that's the beauty of this team. Now, you know, we need to beat the teams in our own skills rather than think about the opposition much,” Rashid said.
“That's the only thing I have been telling the guys like just make sure we look into our skills and how good we are focusing on that - doesn't matter whoever we play the opposition, it's more about how good you are how good you're going to play and what type of energy you coming with into the ground and that for me is very important.
“I don't much care about the result a lot, to be honest. I care about the effort we put in it’s batting, bowling fielding, and that's something that gives me lots of pleasure, the energy when I see the guys giving their best effort if it doesn't happen. It's fine as long you give one hundred percent and you are happy with your efforts at the end of the day.”
This win was important for Afghanistan for more reasons than one. The country has gone through so much in the last few years - socially, politically and economically. Hence the win, in the wee hours back home, would be celebrated with so much passion.
“They must be celebrating now. I'm sure everyone will be up right now. And they don't miss our games. Either we play at 3 AM - 4 AM - 1 AM, they're always up. Not only in Afghanistan, all around the world, wherever they are, they're going to watch the game. They don't miss the game.
“And that's the kind of beauty we have back home in Afghanistan in the people, they give us the kind of support and love which does motivate us inside the ground. We try our best to give them more happiness. As you know, in Afghanistan, cricket is the biggest source of happiness back home.
“I'm very sure this will give them so much to enjoy, to celebrate this victory. Recently, we had so many good wins against the big teams, but this one was also a very special one and thank you to everyone for giving us all the love and support and prayers and we as a team will try our best to give the best for the rest of the games as well,” Rashid said.
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