Winning captain Rashid: “It’s a massive win for us as a team and nation. Beating Australia is a great feeling. It is something we missed out, in 2023 ODI World Cup and also the 2022 World Cup in Australia. (Gurbaz-Ibrahim stand) Quite important for us that we went back to the same XI. But also its about the opposition, we wanted to post our best XI, that’s why we had made changes in the India game. But today we went back to the same XI as the group stage and top effort. (Target in mind) We thought 140 was a good score on this track. We didn’t finish well with the bat, but on this pitch, you can always struggle, and we struggled at the end. However the start given by them, it helped us post this total. We knew we were capable of defending as long as we stayed calm. (Naib today) That’s the beauty of the team, so many allrounders give you option. When you give him the ball, he is happy to receive it. The way Gulbadin bowled, his experience, that really helped today. Overall great effort by the boys. Nabi’s crucial early wicket of Warner… pleasing to see. (Significance of the win) So important for us at home and our fans around the world. Wherever Afghans are, they were badly missing this win. It’s just the beginning for us. We have all the chances of making the semis.”
Afghanistan vs Australia, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 48th Match, Super Eights, Group 1
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