New Delhi, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Afghanistan captain-turned-senior campaigner Rashid Khan says his biggest remaining ambition is to help his country win an ICC World Cup before he retires, as the leg-spinner continues to embrace a broader role with both bat and ball.
Speaking ahead of Afghanistan’s third T20I against India in New Delhi, Rashid reflected on Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket, his own batting development, recovery from back problems and the team’s pursuit of greater consistency against leading sides.
Afghanistan must win the third T20I to avoid a 3-0 series defeat. Rashid had been one of the team’s brighter performers in the previous match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, scoring 28 runs and taking 3-36. His innings included three boundaries off Arshdeep Singh in the 18th over, including a six over cover.
Rashid said his growing confidence with the bat developed after he began receiving greater batting exposure during his time with Gujarat Titans in the IPL. Head coach Ashish Nehra encouraged him to view himself as more than a bowler, prompting him to devote additional time to batting practice.
He also credited batting coach and trainer Naeem Amin, whom he met during his Gujarat Titans stint, for helping him improve his technique. Rashid said Amin had recently worked with him on playing straight and hitting straight rather than relying on cross-batted shots.
Afghanistan’s progress on the international stage, Rashid said, began to gather momentum during the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where they defeated England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan beat New Zealand and Australia before reaching the semi-finals. Rashid also recalled the team’s victory over England in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
However, he said the challenge now was to turn occasional victories over major teams into sustained consistency.
“We want to do it again and again,” Rashid said, stressing the importance of controlling pressure and relying on their skills when facing stronger opponents.
On losing the Afghanistan T20I captaincy to Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid said some things were beyond a player’s control and that he had accepted the change. He expressed hope that Zadran, whom he described as a skilful young player, would lead Afghanistan to more victories.
Rashid has also enjoyed a largely trouble-free 2026 after dealing with back problems and undergoing surgery following the 2023 ODI World Cup. He said his back had supported him well this year and that he had not experienced the complaints that previously affected him.
He attributed part of his recovery to spending several days at Red Bull’s High Performance Centre in Salzburg, Austria, where he underwent a full-body assessment and worked with physiotherapists to identify areas requiring improvement. He said he hoped to return there for two to three weeks of training.
Rashid said he has also adopted a relatively uncomplicated approach to nutrition, preferring healthy food without imposing excessive restrictions on himself. Dal Makhani remains among his favourite foods, while he allows himself occasional biryani.
Away from cricket, Rashid said the birth of his son Azlan has changed how quickly he recovers emotionally from difficult matches. He described his son as a source of happiness and a lucky charm, recalling matches in England and Ireland in which Azlan’s presence coincided with strong bowling performances.
With a younger generation emerging in Afghan cricket, Rashid said senior players now have a responsibility to explain the sacrifices that helped the team progress from playing smaller sides to competing successfully against major international teams.
He also spoke about the emotional importance of carrying elements of Afghanistan with the team while travelling. Dry fruits and green tea provide a reminder of home, he said, while playing an international match in Afghanistan, particularly in Kabul or other cities, remains a dream.
In New Delhi, Rashid said visiting Lajpat Nagar’s Afghan food establishments has become difficult because of his increased public recognition. He recalled earlier visits when he could eat there without being recognised.
But his ultimate ambition remains firmly connected to Afghanistan.
Rashid said that, a decade from now, he would measure his legacy by the service he provided to his country and the matches he helped Afghanistan win. His greatest personal achievement, however, would be seeing Afghanistan lift a World Cup before the end of his career.
“I want Afghanistan to win one World Cup by the time I am there in the team,” Rashid said, adding that he hoped to have an ICC T20 or ODI championship among his achievements before retirement.
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