Chennai, Feb 7 (.) On the cusp of achieving the 700 wicket milestone in T20 history, Afghanistan skipper Rashid
batted for encouraging women’s cricket back home, but said the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and ICC should
take a call on it and not individual cricketers who have no control over it.
Addressing the media ahead of the team’s crucial opener against strong New Zealand in a Group of death, with
South Africa being the other strong contender (only two from the five team Group will make it to Super 8), Rashid
said with Afghanistan being part of ICC full membership it would be a pride to see Afghan players representing the
country on any stage.
On the impending milestone of 700 wickets, he said “it’s a good feeling. I have played Interntional cricket for 9-10
years. It will be a dream for me (taking 700 wickets)…for me to achieve it is very special..I did not really think
about it much”.
“My aim is try to bowl well in tough situations which the team needs…Will be happy to reach 700 wicket milestone.
It’s not usual…Why 700, why not 7000!”, he said.
Rashid has so far taken 696 wickets in 510 innings (515 matches) with the best being six for 17, with 18 four wicket
hauls and four fifers.
To a question on the possibility of seeingAfghanistan Women in cricketing action, Rashid said “Women’s team? Oh,
well, definitely, I feel like that’s the kind of criteria for, I think, being a full member, the ICC, the ACB have the better
idea, but we love to see anyone representing Afghanistan on any stage.”
Stating that he could not comment on it, he said he has his own limitations and decisions on such matters should be
taken by the ACB and the ICC and not by individual cricketers, while observing that it was a proud moment to represent
his country.
“Yes, the support you have there, it’s always there, but bigger, bigger people comes in and they take the decision
and they take it forward,” Rashid added.
On the possibility of international cricketing action in Kabul as not much big level cricket was played in Afghanistan,
Rashid said it would be more than a dream. We want Interantional cricketers to come and see how Afghans treat
them. They are keen to welcome international players…playing at home is always a different feeling…hopefully one
day it is made possible”.
Asked whether Afghanistan still has the underdogs tag, Rashid dismissed it terming it as a media discussion.
“We never talk of such things. It’s the media that gives different names to different teams. I don’t really trust this,
It all depends on what we do on the middle…If you give 100 per cent you will be the best team”, he said.
Observing that it’s a huge and proud moment representing your country,” Rashid said tags that are given are
media stuff.
“If you start defeating big teams, then expectations too get bigger and Bigger, he said.
About tomorrow’s all important match against New Zealand, Rashid said that the spinners need to play a huge
role considering that the Chepauk wicket traditionally assists the slow bowlers. “We have to bowl well in right
areas. They have a very good batting line up…the wicket looks good and will nice to bat on”.
Terming the World Cup event is very challenging, Rashid said “if you want to achieve, you have to pass through
that tough challenge by doing the right things at the right time”.
Kiwi Skipper Mitchell Santner said the recent T20 series against India which they lost 1-4, will be really helpful.
He said he also knew the conditions about the Chepauk wicket–offers help to spinnners–as it was his second home
being part of the Chennai Super Kings in IPL. It’s a pretty good wicket, there will be a bit of bounce as well”.
The series against India was a good preparation for the team and we are focussed and not concerned about the
tag of Group of Death, with three teams in contention. ”We are used to this situation. We had good preparations
and we need to play good cricket”.
. GV 1700