The T20I collection, part of the ICC’s future excursions programme, was scheduled for August at a impartial venue, however CA mentioned in January that it was suspending the engagement after consultations with the Australian authorities due to “a marked deterioration in human rights for girls and ladies” in Taliban-dominated Afghanistan.
“It does harm you,” Rashid instructed ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday in Ahmedabad, the place Titans will play their subsequent IPL 2024 sport, in opposition to Delhi Capitals, on Wednesday. “You do need to play in opposition to the perfect groups and that is the place your cricket goes to enhance increasingly more. You solely get the chance playing in opposition to them [Australia] within the World Cups, however not in bilateral collection.”
Rashid, who will lead Afghanistan on the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, mentioned that playing in opposition to high-ranked groups could be massively helpful for the expansion of his group. For instance, Rashid cited the three-match T20I collection Afghanistan performed this January in opposition to India, which they misplaced 2-1.
“You don’t need to play with my colleagues and also you need to play with me. So what is the distinction? It means I am placing my colleagues down as properly. My nation down as properly”
Rashid Khan on playing within the BBL
“As a participant you may’t do a lot about it,” he mentioned. “It is the problem of governments to resolve. However what hurts me essentially the most is when issues like that occurs, why it’s hurting cricket [in Afghanistan]?
“If one thing is [in the hands of the] governments, why is hurting cricket? Why it comes to cricket? Can cricket solve those points? I believe if cricket is fixing those points, then it is advantageous, then I am proud of it.”
Rashid harassed that cricket was a “supply of happiness” for Afghanistan, and that was one thing Australia wanted to perceive.
“Cricket is the one supply again dwelling in Afghanistan which give folks happiness,” he mentioned. “And if you’re taking that happiness [away] from the folks as properly, you’re hurting extra folks as properly again dwelling. And that’s one thing which I really feel like is extra hurting as a captain the place you’re so excited as a teen playing in opposition to Australia after which this factor simply occurs.”
Rashid on BBL: ‘Nothing is larger than my nation’
Final yr, Rashid had threatened to withdraw from the BBL, however modified his thoughts and entered the BBL draft, earlier than lacking the match as a result of he had to bear a again surgical procedure. Rashid mentioned that CA’s newest transfer had once more compelled him to reassess his stance on taking part within the BBL, the place he has represented Adelaide Strikes since 2016-17.
“Numerous issues come within the thoughts,” he mentioned. “Like, if you do not need to play in opposition to my group, then why you need me to play in your nation? As a result of I am not allowed then in your nation as properly to play cricket.
“You don’t need to play with my colleagues and also you need to play with me? So what is the distinction? It means I am placing my colleagues down as properly. My nation down as properly. So if I am playing there, if cash in this stuff comes, nothing is larger than my nation. Cash will simply go and are available. That is not the purpose.
“In the event that they play with us and we play in opposition to them, that is the one means we will play there as properly. That is the one resolution for this downside to be solved.”
Nagraj Gollapudi is information editor at ESPNcricinfo
