(AP Photo)
Rashid Khan posted an emotional message on social media following Afghanistan’s humbling defeat to South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad, on Thursday.
“We will always remember this T20 World Cup! The fight put ahead by each and every one of this team is commendable and I’m really proud of all of us!
“We will continue to build from here and come back with more grit in the next one. Thank you to each and everyone who believed in us and helped us to keep the fight on,” he added.
During the post-match presentation, the Afghanistan captain openly expressed his disappointment following his team’s one-sided defeat to South Africa in the semifinal.
“It was tough for us as a team. We might have done better but the conditions didn’t allow us to do what we wanted. That’s how T20 cricket is, you need to be ready for all conditions,” a dejected Rashid said.
Nevertheless, the spinner feels that his team, which reached its first-ever semifinal, has gained valuable experience from this tournament.
“It is just the beginning for us, we have the confidence and belief to beat any side. We just need to keep our processes. This has been a great learning experience for us.
“What we take from the competition is the belief. We know we have the skills, it is just about managing tough and pressure situations,” he noted.
Is there any specific area he believes the team can focus on for improvement?
“Yes, some work to be done, especially in the middle order to take the innings deep. We have achieved good results so far but we come back doing more hard work, especially in the batting department.”
Rashid praised the South African pacers for maintaining their disciplined and impressive performance.
“I think they bowled really well. I think we got good success in this tournament because the seamers bowled really well. You need good starts (when bowlers are on top).”
The 25-year-old commented that the Afghan bowlers also performed admirably throughout the tournament.
“I think we were unlucky with Mujeeb’s injury, but our seamers and even (Mohammad) Nabi bowled brilliantly with the new ball. That made our job easier as spinners.
We will accept playing a semifinal and losing to a top side like South Africa,” he added.
