BAN vs AFG: Shakib Al Hasan Makes A Huge Difference - Rashid Khan

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan said Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan will make a huge difference when the two sides lock horns on Tuesday in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

Afghanistan started the Asia Cup 2022 curtain raiser with the demolishing of hosts Sri Lanka in a eight-wicket win on Saturday in Dubai.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman and captain Mohammad Nabi chipped in with two wickets to complement Fazalhaq Farooqi, who picked 3/11 from 3.4 overs to bowl Sri Lanka out for 105 in 19.4 overs.

Openers Rahmanullah Gurnard (40) and Hazratullah Zazai (37*) displayed some fireworks as Afghanistan chased the target in 10.1 overs. 

Shakib Al Hasan will make a huge difference in Bangladesh side: Rashid Khan

Afghanistan will take on a Bangladesh side which has recently made enough changes in the team management. Shakib was reappointed as T20I skipper after Bangladesh lost both ODI and T20I series in Zimbabwe. 

Rashid said Shakib will be a key player for Bangladesh, but Afghanistan will stick to their strategy to outplay their opponents. 

“It will be different conditions in Sharjah tomorrow. Shakib [Al Hasan] is the skipper, the most experienced player in the side. It makes a huge difference. But we think about our process. It is in the players’ minds. We know our roles and jobs tomorrow. We don’t think about the result, whether we beat them or not,” Rashid said in a press conference on Monday. 

We don’t think the opposition is weak or strong: Rashid Khan

Bangladesh and Afghanistan have faced each other in 8 matches in T20Is. Out of these 8 games, Bangladesh has won 3 whereas Afghanistan has come out victorious on 5 occasions.

Despite having the better hold over their opponents in the shortest format, Rashid ruled out the concept of a weak team in this game. 

“We don’t think the opposition is weak or strong. You can’t say that in cricket. It is something that you never handle the result of the game. For us, every opposition is tough. We have to take the opposition seriously, and be well prepared. If we are playing Hong Kong or India tomorrow, we will have the same preparation,” Rashid stated.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan will play the second match of Group B on Tuesday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

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