Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan has voiced his support for Afghan women cricketers who are currently in exile due to the Taliban regime. He emphasized the significance of women’s cricket in gaining full ICC membership before Afghanistan’s match against New Zealand at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Rashid expressed pride in seeing any Afghan represent the country on the global stage.
Rashid acknowledged the limited influence players have in decisions regarding the women’s team, stating that the Afghanistan Cricket Board and ICC hold the final say. Despite their constraints, he assured that the team’s support for the women’s side remains unwavering. Rashid highlighted that major decisions are made by the authorities, and the players focus on what they can control.
The Afghanistan cricket team’s commendable performance in the last T20 World Cup, held in 2024, saw Rashid’s team reach the semi-finals, where they were defeated by South Africa. Placed in a challenging group D, Afghanistan is set to face New Zealand on February 8, followed by a match against South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 11. The team will then travel to Delhi for a game against the UAE and conclude their group stage against Canada on February 19, aiming to advance to the super 8 stage.
