We Have To Play India More In A Year To Get Used To Them: Rashid Khan

Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan said that their loss against India won’t make a big difference for them to qualify for the semi-finals.

On Wednesday, Afghanistan suffered a big loss to India by 66 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Afghanistan have won two of their four matches in the group stage and are one of the contenders to qualify for the knockout stage.

If we win against New Zealand, we know we have a good run rate: Rashid Khan

Rashid believes that they have a good net run rate and if they prepare themselves well against New Zealand they can seal the semi-final spot.

“I don’t think, so it’s going to make a big difference to us as a team. Of course, we know India is one of the best teams, but still, the preparation remains the same, the mindset remains the same, and we know the process,” Rashid said during the post-match presentation.

“As long as we keep the process simple, we know which process we come up with against any side, so we will just try our best as a team to keep the same process, come against New Zealand in the next game and play with a fresh mind. That could be a quarterfinal for us, as well.

“If we win, we know we have a good run rate, so we could be the team to be in the semifinals. So just to go out there, enjoy your skills, enjoy your cricket. As long as you are enjoying, I think there is more chances you could perform,” he added.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma (74) and KL Rahul (69) added 140 runs for the opening stand as India cruised to a mammoth total of 210/2.

Rashid Khan said that his side conceded 30 runs extra but also credited the Indian openers for their stupendous show.

“Looking to the wicket it’s a wicket where you can chase 170, 180, but that extra 30 runs, it’s always like a good — like in India they have a big batting lineup so they try to use the last three, four overs, which they took the total to 210,” Rashid said.

“They played good cricket, and they just took the target to 210, which was on this wicket a bit much, like 20, 25 runs. But yeah, credit goes to them,” he added.

We hardly get the opportunity to play with India: Rashid Khan

In response to India’s stellar batting performance, Afghanistan could put up 144/7 as Indian bowlers Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin combined for five scalps.

Rashid said that Afghanistan does not play enough cricket against India and their matches are restricted in only multi-team tournaments.

“We have to play with them more in a year in order to get used to them, understand them, their weakness, strong point. Then you work on your areas where you can come back stronger.

“I think as a team we hardly get the opportunity to play with them, against India and other good sides. We don’t get that opportunity. We only play with them in the World Cup.

Afghanistan will play against New Zealand on November 7 at the same venue.

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