Sharjah: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has emphasized that the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh is primarily a preparation platform for the ICC T20 World Cup. While the team aims to compete strongly, the skipper insists that World Cup readiness takes precedence over immediate results.
Afghanistan Eye World Cup Preparedness
Speaking ahead of the opening T20I on October 2, Rashid reflected on the team’s Asia Cup campaign, where Afghanistan failed to progress beyond the group stage. “Every game we play is competitive. The Asia Cup was no different. But our main target now is to shape ourselves into a balanced and well-prepared side for the World Cup,” he said.
Rashid acknowledged the team’s limited T20I exposure over the past months, noting that the last series they played was during the World Cup seven to eight months ago. “Getting back together as a team takes time, but this series gives us a perfect opportunity to build cohesion,” he added.
The Afghan captain underlined that losing matches at this stage is less concerning than underperforming in the World Cup itself. “If we lose now but come out stronger and better for the World Cup, that counts as a win for us. History shows that setbacks don’t define us; in 2024, we lost several games before reaching the semi-finals, which was a huge achievement,” Rashid said.
He also recalled the 2023 World Cup, highlighting Afghanistan’s resilience: “We lost some early games to India and Bangladesh, but we bounced back to beat top teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Every match teaches us something, and this series is no different.”
Bangladesh Look to Rebound
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan reflected on their Asia Cup struggles, noting the absence of Litton Das in crucial matches as a key factor. “Losing Litton was harsh for us. He was leading well with the bat, and his absence affected our campaign,” Shakib said.
Looking ahead to the series against Afghanistan, Shakib stressed the importance of solid batting performances. “Our main plan is to strengthen as a batting unit. Winning matches is more important than any style of play, whether modern or conventional cricket. Afghanistan have quality spinners, so we expect a competitive series,” he added.
Series Outlook
The T20I series in Sharjah offers both teams a platform to fine-tune strategies ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. For Afghanistan, it’s about building momentum and sharpening their squad for the global stage. For Bangladesh, it’s a chance to address batting concerns and rebound after the Asia Cup disappointment.
With world-class spinners in Afghanistan’s ranks and Bangladesh eager to improve their batting, fans can expect a tactical and competitive clash over the next few days.