Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea Highlights, T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan win to end New Zealand hopes

Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea Live Score, T20 World Cup: Afghan captain speaks

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan captain, speaking at the presentation ceremony, says: “Feeling great to qualify for the next round. First time for Afghanistan being in Super Eight in T20Is. The boys have done well, adjusting to the conditions very quickly and that is something very pleasing for me. It is very important to have someone like him (Farooqi), and it helps you later as well if you get a couple of wickets. The more you attack when there is help for you, the better it is for you. Even if the batter is attacking, you have to attack as well. We are lucky to have him in our side.”

He is asked about Afghanistan’s middle order, which was tested today for the first time in the T20 World Cup: “We are happy the way the openers played in the first two games. But middle order is all in form and they just need more time. Sometimes, it is hard in T20s when you have just 15-18 balls. It is hard to hit from ball one in these conditions. In the domestic competition, they were also scoring runs. If they get more opportunities, they will perform and give their best for the team.”

The Afghan team is now headed to St. Lucia. Asked how much of a adjustment that will be, Rashid says: “That is the beauty of playing franchise cricket, you have an idea about the wicket. Most of the guys, like Nabi, Gurbaz played in St. Lucia and we have to share that experience with the guys who have not played much (there). It is about playing your natural cricket in those conditions. We will not change our brand of cricket, and it is about how we will play that brand in those conditions. Everyone has that ability to adjust to the conditions quickly and hopefully we will have a good game there as well.”