Sydney: Afghanistan star leg-spinner Rashid Khan on Tuesday said cricket has changed everything in his terror-affected country while insisting that his team will give their best in the ICC T20 World Cup next year.
Rashid, the No.1-ranked T20I bowler, said that the young generation in Afghanistan follows the sport closely and backs the national team wherever and whenever it plays.
Speaking at the announcement of the fixtures of the ICC T20 World Cup 2020, where Afghanistan has been pooled with the likes of India, England and South Africa in Group 2, Rashid said: “It feels good. People back home, they love cricket. It has changed everything in the country in the last five-six years.”
“The young generation … everyone’s following cricket, they love it. It means a lot that Afghanistan is participating in the World Cup,” Rashid said, according to an ICC statement.
“(The fans) are loving it. They love the sport, they love cricket. (We players) just try and give 100 percent in each and every competition. Everywhere, we try our best to give something to the people back home. I know what is happening, so there is nothing else that can bring such a smile on their faces.”
“We — me, (Mohammad) Nabi, Mujeeb (Ur Rehman) — we just try and give our best in each and every game. The World Cup will be good experience. Can’t wait for it,” he added. (IANS)
