Rashid Khan's Unfulfilled Dream: Afghanistan's Quest for Home International Cricket
Afghanistan's cricketers have traversed continents, clinched prestigious trophies, and earned widespread global recognition. Yet, amidst these remarkable achievements, one profoundly personal ambition remains tantalizingly out of reach—the opportunity to play an official international match on their own home soil. For the team's inspirational captain, Rashid Khan, this absence carries more weight than any silverware collected abroad.
Decades of Exile and Makeshift Homes
Decades of persistent conflict and instability have meant that Afghanistan has never hosted a full international cricket fixture in its capital, Kabul. Repeated damage to sporting infrastructure and ongoing security concerns have forced the national team into a prolonged exile. Consequently, they have been compelled to adopt various overseas venues as their makeshift homes.
Across different phases, cities in India such as Greater Noida, Dehradun, and Lucknow have served as de facto bases. Similarly, stadiums in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi within the United Arab Emirates have provided temporary grounds. This nomadic existence has defined Afghan cricket's international journey, separating the players from their passionate local fanbase.
A Dream Bigger Than the World Cup
Speaking on the eve of Afghanistan's crucial T20 World Cup clash against New Zealand, Rashid Khan articulated the depth of this longing. "Yes, that's bigger than the World Cup to be honest, for me and for the team and every individual," he stated emphatically. "We play an international game in Afghanistan and then all these people will see how people back home in Afghanistan are, how they are welcoming players and how they are enjoying cricket and that's something which is more than a dream to be playing international cricket in your own country."
The celebrated leg-spinner acknowledged the immense affection and support the team receives during their travels, particularly during high-profile stints in the Indian Premier League. However, he stressed that this global adoration cannot compare to the unique experience of performing before one's own people.
"When we play IPL here in India, when we play an international game, we see how much their international stars are supported by the local fans and how much they give them love, like we get so much love, I am not saying we don't get love here," Rashid explained. "Whenever we play here, we get lots of love and support, especially playing in IPL and also the World Cup we played, we haven't felt like being away from Afghanistan. But when you play in your own country, it's a kind of different feeling and the world will see the country Afghanistan as well, how beautiful it is. But hopefully, one day we make that possible for an international team to come and they play cricket there."
Structural Challenges: The Domestic Cricket Void
Beyond the poignant absence of home internationals, Rashid Khan highlighted another critical structural challenge impeding Afghanistan's cricketing progress—the lack of a robust and competitive domestic cricket ecosystem. He admitted that talent identification and team selection become increasingly difficult without regular white-ball competitions at the domestic level.
"We don't have much cricket in Afghanistan, especially the shorter format. We have four-day cricket, but not much of the white ball cricket and then some time for you as a captain, it becomes very hard to pick the team because you don't have many options like in India where lots of tournaments are happening every day and you see lots of talents," he revealed.
According to the Afghan skipper, what the nation's cricket misses most is sustained, high-level competition, which he believes is absolutely essential for organic growth and development.
"For me, what we are missing at the moment is competition. When you have competition, you will try your best. Any spinner from Afghanistan who wants to play for Afghanistan will know that he will have to compete with Rashid, to compete with Noor or Mujeeb. The target is set very high and I also have to work very hard," Rashid elaborated.
"I feel if we get that kind of competition in the batting as well, we are going to go to different level. But it only comes when you have a very strong domestic cricket, you have lots of competition back home, that's where you can get the talent and I hope we focus more on our domestic cricket. But whatever you see on TV, it's all just natural talent."
Hopes for Women's Cricket and Future Decisions
Rashid Khan also expressed his sincere desire to see Afghanistan's women cricketers represented on the international stage, while pragmatically acknowledging that such significant decisions lie beyond a player's direct control.
"I feel like that's the kind of criteria for, I think, being a full member. So, the ICC, the Afghanistan Cricket Board, they have the better idea. But we love to see anyone representing Afghanistan on any stage, it's a proud moment. But I think it's all about the decision to be taken by the ACB and ICC, sometimes things as a player, you don't have much in the control and we only think about the controllable things," he said.
"But in this situation, we are in a kind of situation where you can't really have much say in it, but yes, the support you have there, it's always there, but bigger people come in and they take the decision and they take it forward."
As Afghanistan continues its campaign in the T20 World Cup, the dream of playing at home remains a powerful motivator. Rashid Khan's heartfelt reflections underscore not just a personal ambition, but a national aspiration—to showcase Afghan cricket, and the country itself, on home turf, transforming a long-held dream into a tangible reality for future generations.
