Skipper Rashid Khan believes that Afghanistan’s maiden T20 World Cup semifinal qualification, following spectacular wins over New Zealand and Australia alongside the way in which, is a momentous feat that may encourage the youth of the strife-torn nation. Afghanistan, who turned a full ICC member solely in 2017, scripted historical past by qualifying for his or her maiden T20 World Cup semifinal with a win over Bangladesh. “I believe the semi-final goes to be a large, huge like inspiration for the kids again house in Afghanistan. That Afghanistan staff get into the semis for the primary time,” Rashid mentioned on the submit match press convention.
“And we now have carried out it underneath 19 degree, however this degree we’ve not carried out that. Even Tremendous Eight was first time for us after which in semis,” he added.
Moments after the win, visuals of jubilant followers again house celebrating Afghanistan’s historic achievement began doing the rounds on social media.
With the feat, Afghanistan have confirmed how a lot they’ve progressed within the white ball codecs. Finally 12 months’s ODI World Cup, they upset defending champions England and former winners Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They’re persevering with their large slaying run on the T20 World Cup having overwhelmed heavyweights New Zealand and Australia.
“The cricket we now have performed in the entire event up to now – I believe we should be within the semis. The way in which everybody took the duty of moving into the sport and performing greatest for the staff,” mentioned Rashid.
“So, I do not understand how I can describe my feeling however it’s a large achievement for us as a staff and as a nation to be within the semis and now wanting ahead to the semis.” The Afghanistan cricket staff is a gaggle of people who’ve honed their expertise by enjoying in T20 leagues world wide. However once they come collectively to play for his or her nation, it is exhausting to discover a extra passionate bunch.
Afghanistan have discovered the right head coach in former England cricketer Jonathan Trott, who balances issues out along with his calm and composed manner.
The result’s a facet excessive on self perception.
“To me, there isn’t a good staff and unhealthy staff. Each staff is the same as one another. As lengthy on a day, we took the correct determination the correct time, and that is the place the distinction comes. So apart from that, skill-wise, everyone seems to be equal, I believe,” Rashid mentioned.
A touching speech by the Afghanistan captain.
– RASHID KHAN IS THE IN T20I. pic.twitter.com/Q9DDafG8sL
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 25, 2024
An unbeaten South African staff awaits them within the semifinal. However the Proteas had been stretched a couple of occasions within the event, particularly by minnows Nepal, who stumbled on the ultimate juncture, dropping by a run.
“Nicely, it is all the time you get that sort of inspiration for any staff you watch on TV and people small totals are defended, they offer you numerous issues to be taught from, and positively the way in which Nepal carried out in the entire competitors was one thing pleasing to see.” “They’ve performed nice cricket in opposition to all the perimeters they’ve performed. And that is how T20 is all about. It is advisable have that sort of self-belief that we’re able to beating any facet as lengthy we do the correct factor in the correct time and we’re ensuring we hold the factor easy.”
There was a second throughout the sport in opposition to Bangladesh when Gulbadin Naib dramatically fell on his again, clutching his thigh after Trott signalled his gamers to sluggish issues down. However minutes later, not solely was the all-rounder again on the sector however he additionally went on to take Tanzim Hasan’s wicket, inflicting a number of former gamers and commentators to query the genuineness of his discomfort.
However Rashid thought to minimize the incident.
“Nicely, he had some cramp, I do not know what occurred to him and I do not know what is going on on in social media however that does not matter – it is simply the tip discipline damage which comes after which we’ve not misplaced any overs, the rain got here and we simply went off, it is not one thing like introduced a large distinction within the sport.
“We got here again on discipline after 5 minutes and there was no huge distinction. For me, it is similar to a small damage is available in, then you must take a while.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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