BAN v AFG | The more Test cricket we play, the better we will be, says Rashid Khan
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan has said that his Test-inexperienced side would improve with each match in red-ball cricket. Rashid is hoping his team can take confidence from their maiden Test win against Ireland as they take on Bangladesh in the lone Test match at Chittagong on Thursday.
When the war-torn nation of Afghanistan obtained Test status in 2017, it was a new horizon in its quickly growing cricketing culture – another chapter in this inspiring tale. Although they were thrashed by India in their debut match in the longest format of the game, they managed to come good in their second attempt, defeating fellow newcomer Ireland by seven wickets. Now they travel to Chittagong to take on another Asian side at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
"It was the first game for us and surprising for us to play a Test against India in India, and it looked like a dream for the whole country. That is something we didn't quite control - our nerves and ourselves as well. In the next game, we were 80 to 90 per cent better from the first game. You win against a lower team or against a higher team, winning always gives you confidence and energy. We had a good game batting wise, bowling wise and fielding wise. So as I said, the more we play, the better we will be," Rashid said ahead of the match, reported Cricbuzz.
After the World Cup debacle that ended on a sour note as reports of rifts within the dressing room emerged, the board chose Rashid to lead the pack in whites. Rashid assured the reporters that his team are in town with their eyes fixed on nothing less than a second Test win.
''We know what to do in these formats in any conditions, any formats. But in a Test match, it's not something habitual to you, and it takes time. It takes matches and takes years. The quicker we learn, the better it will be for us. Definitely, that's why we are here. Everyone is aiming to win the game. Our only focus is to do well and win the game for the team,'' he said.
''Definitely, Bangladesh team is in a much better position than us as they have played more than 150 Test matches. So this format is new for us. But definitely we have the talent and have the skills and we just need to make sure we play positive cricket. We play according to our strength and just believe in ourselves. This game is all about more patience,” Rashid continued.
Becoming the youngest ever captain of a Test side usually calls for some nerves to creep in, both for the player and the fans watching from afar. However, Rashid has already had a few years of international exposure now, and with senior players to aid him, he is only excited for the task ahead of him.
"It's quite good to be leading the team at such a young age I think. It's a big opportunity for me to learn something from a very young age. Inshallah, I will try my best to do well and will give my hundred percent here. I have senior players like Nabi and Asghar, and they always help me and I am learning from them. It's a learning time for me and it won't be something like I put extra pressure on me as I am the captain and I have to do this or that," he said.
"When I am bowling, full focus is on my bowling rather than to be just a captain. I try to keep enjoying and not trying to add extra pressure on me. If the captain is under pressure, the team will be under the same. I will try to be as relaxed and as calm as possible, and will try to enjoy the game,'' Rashid concluded.
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