Afghanistan not focused on Kohli absence
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan says that his team will not be focused on the absence of India captain Virat Kohli when they play their maiden Test next month.
Rashid opined that the team will be looking to play good cricket and let the results take care of themselves.
When asked by the ICC what the expecatations for the Test were Rashid said: “I think we don’t have something like that, to draw, to win or to lose.
“We just need to focus on playing good cricket. In Test cricket, anyone can give you a tough time. We don’t need to say that this class player [Kohli] is not there and we should be like ‘relax and we can win this’.
“In Test cricket, you should take even a fast bowler seriously – he can make a hundred against you because he has a lot of time to play till the end, to play for a day, for a session. So that’s where Test cricket is different. Anyone can make a hundred against you and anyone cannot make it even if he is a class player.
“The full focus is on playing good cricket and to prove that we are capable of Full Member status in Test cricket.”
ALSO READ: Rahane to lead India in Test against Afghanistan
The significance of their first ever Test is not lost on Rashid and company with the spinner keen to do his utmost for those back in Afghanistan.
He said: “Playing Test cricket is the dream of every country and every player. It is a big honour and achieving this in such short time is a proud thing for the whole nation, because we have got Test cricket status in 13-14 years.
“It will be a big day for cricket in Afghanistan. I can’t wait to be called a Test cricketer! That means a lot to us.
“I think there will be no one who will not be watching it on television back home. Whether it is Test cricket or ODI or T20, they watch it. If it is not live, they follow it online. People in Afghanistan are crazy about cricket.”
Latest
-
NewsChris Woakes is an all-round success as Bears give Derbyshire sore heads
Woakes took two for 38 and struck an unbeaten 13 off five balls in the away win at Derby.
-
NewsJoe Root will not panic over England’s poor batting at Edgbaston
The Black Caps dislodged India as the world’s number one Test side as a result of their eight-wicket win at Edgbaston.
-
-
NewsOn this day in 2013: David Warner suspended for altercation with Joe Root
The Australia batsman was banned from all cricket up to the first Ashes Test that summer and fined almost £7,000.
-
NewsEngland staring at New Zealand series defeat after day three of second Test
Sri Lanka were the last touring side to deal England a bloody nose on their own soil.
-
NewsChris Silverwood admits England’s performance is not good enough in second Test
The game was all but lost by stumps with the scoreboard reading 122 for nine.
-
NewsEngland collapse leaves dominant New Zealand on brink of memorable series win
England have not lost a home series since 2014.
-
NewsNew Zealand on top in second Test after England openers fall
A last-wicket partnership had earlier helped hand the Black Caps a handy lead.
-
NewsNew Zealand move into lead as England struggle in the field
The Black Caps were 74 behind at the start of play and 23 ahead as they reached lunch on 326 for five.