Afghanistan Cricket
Rashid khan wants to play for Afghanistan in Australia not in just BBL
|| CF DESK ||
Rashid Khan's future in the Big Bash League (BBL) hangs in uncertainty as he deliberates over departing from the league, a response to Australia's repeated postponement of their series with Afghanistan.
The turmoil began when Australia withdrew from a one-off Test match and a one-day international series against Afghanistan, slated to be held in the United Arab Emirates in March 2023. This withdrawal was attributed to 'a marked deterioration' in the treatment of females within Afghanistan.
Rashid, a prominent figure in Afghan cricket and a pivotal player for the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, underscores the significance of competing against top-tier teams.
He views these matches not only as opportunities for personal growth but also as crucial experiences that fortify Afghanistan's readiness for the intense competition of global events like the World Cup.
However, in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Rashid expressed apprehension regarding Cricket Australia's handling of matters pertaining to his homeland.
"It does hurt you. You do want to play against the best teams and that's where your cricket is going to improve more and more. You only get the opportunity playing against them [Australia] in the World Cups, but not in bilateral series. You don't want to play with my colleagues and you want to play with me. So what's the difference? It means I'm putting my colleagues down as well. My country down as well," said Rashid on the eve of Gujarat Titans' IPL match against Delhi Capitals.
Rashid pointed to the recent T20 series against India as a prime example of how playing strong teams elevates Afghanistan's performance on the international stage.
"We nearly chased 200 [212] against India. Imagine if you wouldn't have played that, where would the confidence come from? Imagine if you wouldn't have played that, where would the confidence come from? Playing against big teams is huge for us" he added.