Afghanistan stamp authority with Rashid's class act

Abu Dhabi - We as a team have worked very hard. I just hope this winning form continues, says the 20-year-old leg-spinner

Afghanistan hero Rashid Khan Arman believes he can't do great things but small ones with great love and inspiration. His philosophy in life is similar to the one followed by the rest of his teammates.

During the last group match of the Asia Cup 2018 against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, Rashid walked out with Afghanistan reeling at 160 runs for the loss of seven wickets and with some nine overs remaining optimism was in low count.

However, the 20-year-old spinner along with Gulbadin Naib raised a 95-run partnership to power Afghanistan to 255. He hit an awe-inspiring 32-ball 57 and later took two wickets giving just 13 runs from his nine overs as Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh by 136 runs.

Man-of-the-match Rashid later said that the win was the fruit of hard work.

"We as a team have worked very hard. I just hope this winning form continues. I am very happy to be able to contribute to the team's winning cause. My aim was to bat till the end. We focused on each and every delivery.

"I've been coming on to bowl late because I want to build pressure by bowling more dot balls and the batsmen give their wickets," he said and added that he was working on different bowling variations.

Rashid noted that the players had good practice sessions and concentrate highly on their fitness and fielding. "It was very hot but our training sessions have helped. We have worked very hard on our fielding. Now we are fielding well as a team. It is one area which can win matches for you."

The Afghans have so far played all their matches in Abu Dhabi and won but Rashid said it wasn't a big advantage. "The nature of wickets keeps changing here (at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium). So you can't be following the results of one or two matches. We just focus on playing positive cricket and giving our 100 per cent. We don't focus a lot on results and take one match at a time."

The youngster also didn't complain about the gruelling Cup schedule with back-to-back matches.

"We are all professionals and should be ready to play. We are ready for any challenge," he said reflecting the positive mood in the camp and hunger to play.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan Cricket Board former chairman Atif Mashal lauded Rashid's performance and said: "His rise has been phenomenal and has taken Afghan cricket to new heights."

Skipper Mohammad Asghar also hailed the cameo effort by the youngster.

"I'll give a lot of credit to Naib and Rashid for their effort. Our top and middle order didn't play very well but thankfully Naib and Rashid did very well."

With top-notch performances like the one by Rashid, the Afghans have truly stamped their authority on the tournament.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Asia Cup 2019