Rashid Khan: Playing internationals in Afghanistan bigger than World Cup win

Rashid Khan and the Afghanistan team last visited Chennai over two years ago, celebrating a landmark World Cup victory over Pakistan at a near-packed MA Chidambaram Stadium. That win signaled their arrival among Asia’s best—a rise nearly underscored further until Glenn Maxwell’s whirlwind knock in Mumbai halted them.

Less than a year later, Afghanistan marched to the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. By the 2026 edition, they will no longer enter world tournaments as underdogs, a testament to their growing stature, backed strongly by consistent performances in successive Under-19 World Cups.

Is Afghanistan aiming higher? Are they ambitious enough to chase ultimate glory?

As captain, Rashid isn’t fixated on the trophy.

“Before the 2024 World Cup, we hadn’t set a target to reach the semifinal,” Rashid said on Saturday, ahead of their tournament opener against New Zealand. “Our target was to play good cricket, focus on what we can do, how we can make things harder for the opposition, and which areas we need to improve.

“It’s the same for this World Cup. We don’t really set a target; I don’t mind where we finish as long as the energy, effort, and body language remain top. That’s more important than winning or losing. As a team, that’s our mindset against any opposition: put in 200% effort and then see the result.”

But what would a World Cup win truly mean for Afghanistan?

Finally given a platform to speak—after months of the head coach fielding most questions—Rashid shed light on the limitations facing Afghan cricket.

“We don’t have much cricket in Afghanistan, especially shorter formats. We have four-day cricket, but not much white-ball cricket. As a captain, it becomes hard to pick the team because you don’t have many options. In India, lots of tournaments happen every day; you see so much talent, so many options, so much competition. What we are missing is competition—that’s crucial for every team. When you have competition, you try your best, you work very hard.

“If someone from Afghanistan wants to become a spinner, he knows what he needs to do, where the standards are. He’ll have to compete with Rashid, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman—the standard is set very high. He knows he’ll have to work extremely hard.

“If we get that kind of competition in batting as well, we’ll be at a different level. But that will only come with a strong domestic cricket structure. When you have lots of competition back home, that’s where you find talent. I hope we focus more on our domestic cricket, creating more opportunities for youngsters to showcase their talent and then bring them to the national team. Hopefully that happens.

“What you see on TV is mostly natural talent; we haven’t gone through lots of tough cricket. In domestic cricket, it’s a bit easier, but once we make that harder, it’ll become easier for us in internationals.”

Yet, all that development is a sidenote to Rashid’s larger aspiration. Asked if the team dreams of playing international cricket in Kabul, he replied:

“That’s bigger than the World Cup, to be honest—for me, for the team, for every individual in Afghanistan—that we play an international game in Afghanistan.

“All the media, everyone will see how people back home are, how they welcome international players and enjoy cricket. That’s more than a dream. When we play IPL here or an international game, we see how much local fans support and love their international stars.

“I’m not saying we don’t get love here. Whenever we play, we get lots of love and support, especially in the IPL and World Cup. We haven’t felt away from Afghanistan, but playing in your own country is a different feeling. If international cricket comes to Afghanistan, the world will see how beautiful it is. Hopefully one day we make that possible, that an international team comes and plays there.”

It was a rare day for an Afghanistan cricketer to open up about challenges back home—and an opportunity to ask an equally important, uncomfortable question: Would you like to see the women of Afghanistan play international cricket?

“Oh, well, definitely…” he began, before choosing his words carefully. “The decision of the ACB… The ICC have a better idea… We only think about the controllables.”

In essence, without ruffling feathers, he added: “We love to see anyone representing Afghanistan on any stage. It’s a hugely proud moment when you’re representing your country.”