Prior to Afghanistan’s impressive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 30th match of the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, star Afghan all-rounder Rashid Khan delivered an inspiring speech to his teammates, urging them to give their all in every aspect of the game. In a video shared by the ICC on social media, Rashid Khan can be seen motivating his team, emphasizing that their main focus should be to fight against the opposing team without worrying about the outcome. He encourages them to pay attention to the finer details, as they will ultimately contribute to the bigger picture. Rashid Khan’s message is clear – fight for every ball.
In addition, Rashid Khan highlights the fact that thousands of people pray for the team and watch their matches, hoping for an Afghanistan victory. Cricket is a source of joy and happiness in their country, and he emphasizes the importance of giving 100% effort, regardless of the circumstances. Even if the ball is wet, Rashid Khan pledges to put in his best performance for the team, as any mental weakness or doubt could result in conceding runs. He urges his teammates to trust themselves and give their all in every moment. The support of the fans is a driving force behind their determination to win and bring joy to Afghanistan through cricket.
Rashid Khan’s leadership style is characterized by positivity and a smile. He encourages the team not to succumb to pressure, but to focus on giving their best effort. The desired outcome is not just a victory, but a genuine and honest effort. As a team, they will enter every game with determination and a smile on their faces.
In the match against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan opted to bowl first. The Sri Lankan Lions lost wickets at regular intervals, and despite contributions from Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, they managed to score 241 runs in their allotted 49.3 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, taking 4 wickets for 34 runs. Mujeeb claimed two wickets, while Rashid and Azmatullah Omarzai took one wicket each.
During their chase, Afghanistan showed their strength with half-centuries from Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah, and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi. Their performances helped Afghanistan secure a comfortable victory, chasing down the target of 242 runs. Following their win against Sri Lanka, Afghanistan currently holds the fifth position in the standings with six points, having won three out of their six games.