Afghanistan Captain Rashid Khan's Ultimate Dream: Hosting International Cricket at Home
On the eve of Afghanistan's T20 World Cup campaign opener against New Zealand in Chennai, captain Rashid Khan made a heartfelt declaration that transcends the tournament itself. The star leg-spinner revealed that his biggest aspiration is not lifting the World Cup trophy, but rather seeing international cricket being played on Afghan soil.
"To play international cricket back home is bigger than the World Cup," Rashid emphasized. "For me, for the team, and for every individual, that's something more than a dream."
Passionate Fans Echo Their Captain's Aspiration
At the MA Chidambaram Stadium gallery, TOI encountered several passionate Afghan fans from Kabul who shared their skipper's vision. Draped in national attire or team jerseys, these supporters maintained their vocal enthusiasm throughout the match, even as New Zealand chased down Afghanistan's total of 183 runs.
Jawad Ahmadi, one of the young Afghan fans present, expressed the collective hope: "Inshallah, ek din... It will be really great. It's a massive dream for every cricket fan back home." He specifically mentioned their desire to host India for Afghanistan's first international match on home soil, citing the brotherly relationship between the two nations.
"India is our second favourite team in the World Cup," Ahmadi added, highlighting the special bond between Afghan cricket fans and their Indian counterparts.
Cricket as a Unifying Force in Challenging Times
Afghanistan has endured significant challenges as a nation, but cricket has emerged as a powerful unifying force that helps people navigate life's difficulties. The national team's remarkable progress—culminating in a semifinal appearance at the last T20 World Cup—demonstrates their growing strength as a cricketing unit.
"The sport back home is growing day by day," Ahmadi observed. "But it will take quite some time to reach the level of India. Let me tell you, we are as crazy about cricket as you guys are."
The fan proudly noted Afghan cricket enthusiasts know how to celebrate, suggesting others could take cues from their passionate support. "Small steps are being taken to develop the sport," he acknowledged, "and we hope to be a big and strong team in the future."
The Rashid Khan vs. Mohammad Nabi Debate Among Fans
While Rashid Khan serves as the current face of Afghan cricket, former captain Mohammad Nabi is widely regarded as the sport's torchbearer in the country. This distinction has sparked healthy debate among fans about which player means more to Afghan cricket's development.
Jawad Ahmadi explained Rashid's significance: "Rashid is our hero. Back home, everyone loves Rashid Khan and the way he keeps taking the Afghanistan flag higher in cricket is great. He has helped improve facilities and has inspired so many youngsters to take up the sport."
However, his friend Abdul, a club-level cricketer, offered a different perspective: "I took up cricket because of Nabi. Nabi is the real hero for us; he has been there from the beginning, so we admire him a lot. The way Nabi and his generation started out without many facilities and still kept going... that's just amazing."
This generational appreciation highlights how both players have contributed significantly to Afghanistan's cricketing journey—Rashid as the current global superstar elevating the team's profile, and Nabi as the pioneering figure who helped establish cricket's foundation in challenging circumstances.
