ZCZC
BSP-26
CRICKET-AFG-RASHID
Once we get proper condition, we can beat any side: Rashid Khan
CHATTOGRAM, Sept 4, 2109 (BSS)- Despite being a new Test nation,
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan vowed to play a positive cricket when they
take on Bangladesh in a one-off Test match here at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury
Stadium (ZACS) in Chattogram on Thursday.
He said that they can beat any side if they get the condition to their
likings and would give their best against Bangladesh.
Afghanistan have played only two Test matches since getting the status last
year. They though conceded a big margin defeat to India, won their match
against Ireland.
“As I have said before, we are new to the format. It’s not something in the
third game or the fourth game is beating someone like Australia. Once we get
the momentum and once we get the proper condition, we can beat any side at a
day,” Rashid said here on Wednesday.
“As we have seen here in Bangladesh, they beat Australia here. And once you
get the condition you can beat any side. But for experience-wise you need
more games in this format. Once you have the more games, I think you will
become a proper Test player. Right now we have played enough T20s and ODIs
and we have the experience of that so as the knowledge. We know what to do in
these formats in any conditions, any formats. But in Test match, it’s not
something happening to you and it takes time and takes matches and takes
years. The quicker we learn the better it will be for us.”
There is widespread belief that Afghanistan could be threatening for
Bangladesh because of their quality spin attack as the pitch is believed to
be conducive for the spinners.
Rashid said alongside spin bowling they need to show patience in batting
also to bring out positive result.
“You know while playing in such condition as like in Asia, Bangladesh,
India or other countries, mostly you will rely on the spinners. Because these
wickets are used to work better for the spinners. They can work better in
these wickets. We did well in the four-day games in the past against
Scotland, Ireland. We have that kind of experience which took us to the five-
day Test matches,” he said.
“We have played two games against India and Ireland. We have the little bit
of experience. Definitely Bangladesh team is in much better position than us
as they have played more than 150 Test matches. One thing is, you can keep
learning from each and every game. So, this format is new for us. But
definitely we have the talent and have the skill and we just need to make
sure that we play positive cricket. We play according to our strength and
just believe in ourselves. This game is all about more patient and more cool
and more calm and once we do that I think definitely the result will be
positive.”
BSS/SMP/SSS/1758 hrs