ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2021

November 3, 2021

Rashid Khan

Sheikh Zayed Stadium

Afghanistan

Post Match Media Conference

India 210/2, Afghanistan 144/7

Q. I want to ask you what was your game plan winning the toss and bowling first? What was the target to restrict India in your mind?

RASHID KHAN: Looking to the wicket it's a wicket where you can chase 170, 180, but that extra 30 runs, it's always like a good -- like in India they have a big batting lineup so they try to use the last three, four overs, which they took the total to 210.

Yeah, I think that was the kind of mindset of the players, that already the Indian team, they struggled in the first two games in the batting department, so we as a team just tried to attack in that department which they struggled, and if we have success we can be on a winning side. They played good cricket, and they just took the target to 210, which was on this wicket a bit much, like 20, 25 runs. But yeah, credit goes to them.

Q. After you guys lost early wickets, it was always difficult to play catch-up. With the New Zealand game also being very important, did you have to sort of change your approach and protect your net run rate after the early wickets?

RASHID KHAN: Definitely, that's the kind of thing we had in the mind after losing a few wickets. As a team we planned to go there and score as many runs as possible just to focus more on the run rate, and that might play a main role in the last game when we're playing against New Zealand. That could be a big difference at the end.

Yeah, the message was clear, just go play smart cricket and play 20 overs and get as many as possible, so that was the kind of mindset of the players.

Q. Just wanted to know, you generally don't see that many runs in T20 cricket. What do you feel was different today? Was it the Indian batters' intent, or there was something wrong with the pitch or the conditions today?

RASHID KHAN: I think only two ball difference in a bowler's spell. One he played a good shot and one I bowled a bad ball. Those two sixes, otherwise my economy would have been six, five and a half, so that was I think a difference. But looking to the wicket, it was pretty hard for the spinner. It wasn't -- you wouldn't get that kind of wicket here in this condition. It wasn't that much spinning, but still, you have to use your experience. As they had a very good start at the beginning, openers had a good start, so it's always very tough as a spinner when openers are still there and you're bowling in the middle order and then you see the top order were there.

Yeah, I think the main difference was a couple of balls, those two sixes.

Q. Do you think that a bit of sheer pressure of expectation or it was sheer batting power that took the game away from you?

RASHID KHAN: I don't think that there is a kind of pressure on us expectation-wise. We know our skills. It's all about playing against those big teams, it takes time. We have to play with them more in a year in order to get used to them, understand them, their weakness, strong point. Then you work on your areas where you can come back stronger. I think as a team we hardly get the opportunity to play with them, against India and other good sides. We don't get that opportunity. We only play with them in the World Cup.

As a team you have that kind of big team pressure. We know playing all around the world in the leagues with them and we're used to with them, but still, the rest of the players, they need that kind of belief in themselves that we can deliver against a big side, as well. But it's just kind of that belief. Once it comes, I think we can beat any side in a day, but that will come when we play more cricket with those teams.

Q. Just wanted to clarify two things. One, you guys decided to chase because you generally prefer defending totals, but keeping the vulnerability of India's previous matches, setting batting order, do you think that is one thing, and another is how much of Mujeeb's missing out has been a factor for you guys?

RASHID KHAN: Definitely that was a kind of idea behind bowling first, just to kind of (indiscernible) the batsmen that they had. We just tried to use that, but they are the professional side, and they didn't let us to get into the game. They started pretty well and they finished up really well. Once you get the control of the team like in India, it was pretty hard to get them less than like 200. But yeah, as a team we try our best.

According to Mujeeb, we don't have any like clarity about him, how he is, but we hope that he is fit enough for the next game. As a player you don't know what's going to happen in the next couple of days. He had a full rest since he got injured. He bowled a couple of balls, but I can't say anything at the moment. Could be very bad, could be very good, as well. Let's see what's going to happen in the next couple of days and then we're going to decide.

Q. Rashid, Afghanistan have played at all three venues this tournament. Can you just tell us the challenges that are required for every venue?

RASHID KHAN: Definitely it's pretty hard. Everything totally changes when the venue changes. When you go to Sharjah, totally different wicket. Dubai different and Abu Dhabi. But I think as a professional player you have to adjust yourself. We played in Africa in these situations, in these conditions, and we know what will be the reaction of the Sharjah wicket, what will be the reaction of the rest of the wickets. We already have that kind of mentality, and mentally we are ready for that. As a professional player, you shouldn't be making those kind of excuses that this wicket is not as good for the batting or bowling, but still you have to stand up and deliver for the team.

Yeah, there is a difference, but you still need to adjust yourself and play professional cricket.

Q. My question is on the performance of today, will it pay anything to the momentum of the Afghanistan team for the upcoming matches? Will it shift any momentum, like the way you are playing together?

RASHID KHAN: I don't think so it's going to make a big difference to us as a team. We know India is one of the best teams, but still, the preparation remains the same, the mindset remains the same and we know the process. As long as we keep the process simple, we know which process we come up with against any side, so we will just try our best as a team to keep the same process, come against New Zealand in the next game and play with a fresh mind. That could be quarterfinal for us, as well.

If we win we know we have a good run rate so we could be the team to be in the semifinals. So just to go out there, enjoy your skills, enjoy your cricket. As long as you are enjoying I think there is more chances you could perform.

Q. In this tournament Afghanistan displays very nice, especially credit goes to you and Nabi. What do you think there are some senior players like Asghar Afghan announced their retirement; is there any impact on the team, and what's your morale for the next match against New Zealand?

RASHID KHAN: Morale is high. I think it can be done with one game. We know our skills. We know our talent, and we have enough experienced players in the side who has played many T20 World Cups for Afghanistan, and we're going to use that. Yeah, definitely Asghar's retirement was very shocking for everyone, as a player for me, as well, someone who led the team five, six years, he did really well in that era and he took the team to a very good position.

But still, we have the side, we have the ability, we have the skills and talent which can replace him. It might take a little bit of time, but still, we have those players who can replace that spot, and the morale will be high against New Zealand. As I said before, that will be a kind of quarterfinal for us, and not to change. Enjoy the skills, enjoy the cricket and keep smiling in the center.