Hamstring injury has put Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan uncertain for the final of the tri-nation T20I series against hosts Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.
Number one T20I bowler Rashid picked the injury while fielding during the eighth over of Bangladesh's run chase in Chittagong on Saturday. Afghanistan conceded a four-wicket defeat in the game but that did not affect their progress to the final of the series.
“I cannot say anything right now [if will be able to play the final]. Had some work on it today [Monday] and yesterday [Sunday]. Hope it does work. We see it goes and we will make a final decision tomorrow [Tuesday],” informed Rashid to the media at SBNS on Monday.
Bangladesh will focus on not losing too many early wickets in the first 10 overs when the side goes to bat against Afghanistan in the final of the tri-nation T20I series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Tuesday.https://t.co/0vPc6bIHHo
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 23, 2019
Without Rashid Afghanistan’s dream of winning a multinational series involving a Test playing side may be shattered but the skipper, who turned into 21 in this week, is not worried as he thought they have a backup plan ready for the very important game.
“We have the backup option [in spinners]. We have Mujeeb [Ur Rahman], [Mohammad] Nabi and Sharafuddin [Ashraf] a left-arm spinner and good all-rounder. I don’t think (it will create a problem),” said a confident Rashid.
Afghanistan had a flying start to the series winning the first two matches, against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh respectively. In the Chittagong leg however, the side lost both the matches to the same opponents.
Rashid informed his side is taking confidence of having won the two games in Dhaka but not worry of the kind of wicket that will be played on despite the fact his side relies heavily on the spin attack.
Bangladesh’s newly found leg-spinner Aminul Islam Biplob is uncertain to play in the final of the Tri-nation T20I series against Afghanistan at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium Tuesday. https://t.co/Vxhd33YYg7
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) September 23, 2019
The wicket in Dhaka tends to remain slow and low offering help to the spinners but the overcast weather and rain may alter the conditions.
But Rashid was very confident about the big finale.
“I don’t think, not at all [that the team moral has been affected losing the last two games]. We have to focus on the next game tomorrow [Tuesday] since the group stage (league-phase) is gone now. We need to keep the basics right what we have done positively in the first two games. The most important thing is we are in the final. The previous losses or wins do not create any issue.
“We are ready to play at any kinds of wickets whether it is turning wicket or flat wicket. We played the last two games on a flat wicket. The most important thing is how we adjust ourselves and perform. That is the thing we are focusing on,” said Rashid.
