Asia Cup 2022, BAN vs AFG: Not in our hands that teams take us seriously or lightly, says Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan

BAN vs AFG: Before the Asia Cup 2022 match against Bangladesh, Afghanistan’s standout spinner Rashid Khan noted that even though the players compete in numerous leagues, representing their country always comes first.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan will square off at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Mohammad Nabi, an all-rounder, will serve as the team’s captain. There has been one alteration from the 16-person group that toured Ireland. Sharafuddin Ashraf has been replaced; he is now a member of the reserves. Samiuallah Shinwari Noor Ahmed, a spinner, has also been included to the squad.

“We want to play a lot of international cricket that gives youngsters the opportunity to play and get a chance. Also 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,” Rashid Khan said in a pre-match press conference.

@rashidkhan_19 enjoys the unpredictable nature of cricket and looks forward to Afghanistan’s epic encounter against Bangladesh #BANvAFG #ACC #AsiaCup2022 #GetReadyForEpic pic.twitter.com/kcCOVpKNm1

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) August 29, 2022

Afghanistan recorded their second-largest T20I victory in terms of balls remaining after holding Sri Lanka to 105. Depending on how their bowling unit, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi, performs, they will soar. Due to his three-wicket haul, the bowler was named the winner of the contest.

“Tomorrow’s conditions in Sharjah are different than what we faced in Dubai. We want to give 100 per cent and enjoy the game. I am not an all-rounder. A player who can bat and ball and can bat in different positions, then it is great,” he said.

“If you have such players like Hardik Pandya in the team then it gives the captain a lot of options. His hard work has paid off. Last year when I played with him, I think he has improved as a captain a lot in IPL. When a player gets such kind of responsibility then it makes him a better player,” he added.

He claimed that regardless of the opposition, the team prepared thoroughly.

“We as players enjoy this kind of format. Also 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.

Squad: Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen ul Haq, Noor Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan and Samiullah Shinwari.

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