Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid took part in the 2019 World Cup 50-over match at Leeds’s sold-out Headingley stadium, which was packed with cricket fans. Although his team suffered a crushing defeat, the game was marred by brawls both inside and outside of the stadium that overshadowed the outcome.
In the wake of a brawl and pitch invasion during Afghanistan vs Pakistan’s T20 World Cup match in England two years ago, Rashid Khan has pleaded with Afghan and Pakistani fans to behave when the two teams meet on Friday.
Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid took part in the 2019 World Cup 50-over match at Leeds’s sold-out Headingley stadium, which was packed with cricket fans.
His team suffered a crushing defeat, but the game was marred by brawls both inside and outside the stadium.
As the stands emptied, players were escorted off the field by security personnel.
Both teams are unbeaten and in the hunt for a semi-final berth going into Friday’s game in Dubai.
Expatriates from both countries who live and work in the Gulf are expected to fill the venue to capacity on Saturday and Sunday.
When it comes to playing Pakistan, Rashid alluded to the fact that it is “always a good game.”
“I implore all of the spectators to maintain their composure and focus on the game itself. What transpired in the 2019 match was completely out of character for the players involved.”
Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup campaign got off to a flying start with a 60-run victory over Scotland thanks to four wickets from spinner Rashid and five more from fellow spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Afghanistan’s participation in the tournament was jeopardized because of the Taliban government’s anti-sports women’s stance.
With all member countries required to field both men’s and female teams, the International Cricket Council (ICC) says it is keeping a close eye on developments and will hold a meeting in Dubai next month to talk about the issue further.
“Our government is streamlining things, and women’s cricket will also be streamlined,” Afghanistan cricket chief Azizullah Fazli told AFP before the tournament began. “
Rashid stated that the team’s sole focus is on the competition.
There are five games left in the group stage and three wins are required, according to the 23-year-old midfielder.
“We don’t pay attention to what’s going on around us. We have no recollection of the past. As far as we know, we have no power or influence over that.
“We shouldn’t even consider it because we don’t need any additional stress. As a group, we’re solely focused on improving in this World Cup.”
Afghanistan thrashed Scotland in Sharjah, knocking down 11 sixes and 13 boundaries in the process.
Rashid, on the other hand, stated that the team’s primary goal is to make aggressive shots.
That kind of mentality of focusing on how many sixes you can hit isn’t present in our group, he admitted.
“However, you must become familiar with the wicket in order to play well.
“We must play better cricket, in my opinion. It’s not a matter of having an excessive number of sixes. Sixes have a hard time bouncing off of these greens. Because of the wickets, hitting sixes will be difficult.”
