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
-
News
Olly Stone hopes to play a role in an England pace trio during this year’s Ashes
Stone hopes to play a role this summer along with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
-
News
Olly Stone ready for whatever role is required to make England World Cup squad
‘Any way in the England team, I’ll snap someone’s hand off,’ said Stone.
-
Women's Cricket
Dane van Niekerk ‘absolutely broken’ to miss World Cup over fitness standards
The South Africa captain was unable to complete a two-kilometre run in the minimum required time.
-
England
Run of defeats has not damaged England’s confidence, insists Moeen Ali
The all-rounder is confident England will be in good shape for the defence of their World Cup crown.
-
County Cricket
Lancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
England
Jos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
England
Jos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
England
Jason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
England
England batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.