Afghanistan’s captain, Rashid Khan, has expressed his frustration over the constant reference to his team as the “second-best team in Asia.” Despite entering the Asia Cup as one of the favorites after a series of strong international performances, Afghanistan failed to progress past the group stage.
The team suffered a thrilling defeat against Bangladesh and a heavy loss to Sri Lanka, which prevented them from reaching the Super Four stage. This unexpected early exit disappointed both fans and players who had higher expectations based on the team’s recent form.
Media Label Sparks Frustration
Rashid Khan voiced his concerns about the “Asian number two” label that media outlets and fans have frequently used.
“People keep saying we are Asia’s second-best team. We never said that ourselves. We performed well in recent tournaments, and that’s why this tag was given to us,” Rashid stated.
He explained that while Afghanistan has beaten top teams in recent years – including England in the Champions Trophy – such labels can quickly turn into criticism when results don’t go their way.
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Strong Past Performances
Over the last few years, Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket has been impressive. They have defeated several world-class teams in major tournaments, reached the semifinals of the T20 World Cup, and consistently challenged stronger opponents. This progress naturally led to them being considered among Asia’s top sides.
However, Rashid stressed that rankings and reputations are temporary.
“If in the future we don’t perform, we could be the third, fourth, or even fifth team in Asia. But we never gave ourselves the number two title,” he said.
Rashid Calls for Positivity in Cricket
The Afghan skipper also criticized the culture of mocking teams and players when they fail.
“Sometimes you play well, sometimes you don’t. That’s part of the game. The focus should always be on improving. But nowadays, the more people make fun of someone, the more it is appreciated. Honestly, it doesn’t feel good,” Rashid remarked.
Reasons Behind Afghanistan’s Struggles
Reflecting on Afghanistan’s poor showing in the Asia Cup, Rashid admitted that a lack of preparation played a major role. The team had not played enough T20 matches before the tournament, which affected their rhythm and chemistry. Additionally, the bowling attack failed to adapt to conditions, and the batting lineup could not meet the required standard against tough opposition.
Looking Ahead to the T20 World Cup
Despite the setbacks, Rashid remains hopeful about Afghanistan’s future. The team is now shifting its focus toward preparations for the T20 World Cup next year, where they aim to regroup, strengthen their strategies, and regain their winning form.
