The young captain of the Afghanistan cricket team, Rashid Khan wants more frequent and better tour for his team. He also thinks that the lack of opportunity was a reason for Afghanistan’s poor display at the World Cup.
On Afghanistan’s schedule
Afghanistan are a fast-improving team across formats. They have improved since day one and proved them at every possible opportunity. Their win over Bangladesh in the Test series and their joint-winning effort in the T20I series are the proofs to the same. They are set to play big teams in the coming days. But Rashid thinks that Afghanistan should get involved with bigger teams for betterment. He said, “We should have longer series against Bangladesh, like have the main focus on 50 overs and Test matches. Cricket boards should think about it. There should be a three-match Test series. There’s more room to learn and have different experiences. More 50 overs and Tests would be better for both nations.”
On WC performance and WTC
He further mentioned that Afghanistan have hardly played quality fast bowling and that hampered their chances at the World Cup. The skipper explained, “We have played only twice against Australia, New Zealand and England in the last five years. If we played more against them, we could have known their strengths and weaknesses. It should be looked into.”
He gave the example is Bangladesh who played a lot against South Africa and ended with the best result against them in the World Cup. “If we want to be a good side, we should play more against the top sides. Not one match in four years. These teams have four fast bowlers who bowl 140-plus. We play against Scotland and Ireland, and they hardly have a 140-plus bowler.”
He was also asked about the World Test Championship which Afghanistan are not a part of. Rashid said that the focus is to play good Test cricket and more cricket. “We are quite sad not to be part of the World Test Championship, but I think all we can do right now is play good Test cricket, to prove that decision wrong. But at the same time, you can’t put a side in the championship who have played only three Tests.”
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