By picketing at the hands of India, AfghanistanLeading leg-spinner Rashid Khan has no doubt that his upcoming t20 world cup The match against New Zealand is a virtual quarterfinal for them. Afghanistan, who have played four matches in the Super 12 stage, are on the second spot with four points and a net-run rate of +1.481.
Pakistan has already qualified for the semi-finals from Group 2. Asked whether the 66-run loss to India will affect the team’s pace going into the last game, Rashid replied in the negative.
He said, ‘I don’t think it is going to make a big difference for us as a team. We know that India are one of the best teams, but still, the preparation remains the same, the mindset remains the same and we know the process.
“That (New Zealand match) could be a quarterfinal for us as well. If we win, we know we have a good run rate so we can be the team to reach the semi-finals. So just to go out there, to enjoy your skills, to enjoy your cricket.
“As long as you are enjoying, I think you have more chances to perform,” Rashid said in a post-match press conference on Wednesday night.
The Afghanistan-New Zealand match to be held in Abu Dhabi on Sunday is also important for the Indian team. If Afghanistan beat the Kiwis, then the Virat Kohli-led side has a chance of making it to the semi-finals. Of course they have to win their remaining two Super 12 matches to stay in the fray.
Rashid was also asked whether Afghanistan were thinking about their net run rate after losing early wickets against India.
“Certainly, that was the kind of thing we had in mind after losing a few wickets. As a team, we planned to go there and score as many runs as possible.
“… just to focus more on the run rate, and that can play a major role in the last game when we’re playing against New Zealand. It can make a big difference in the end. The 23-year-old added,” Yes, the message was clear, just play smart cricket and play 20 overs and get as much as you can, so that was the mindset of the players.”
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