‘Only source of happiness’: Rashid Khan urges Cricket Australia to reconsider stance on bilateral matches

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan is calling for Australia officials to change their mind about playing bilateral matches, says the refusal only punishes the cricket nation.

Captain Rashid Khan has taken aim at Cricket Australia’s ‘hypocritical’ refusal to play Afghanistan in bilateral matches, making an emotional plea for them to change their mind.

The Big Bash superstar said Australia’s decision to boycott playing against Afghanistan’s men’s team until the Taliban allow the women’s team equal right to play at the international level was solving nothing and only punished a desperate people who rely on cricket as “the only source of happiness back home.”

Afghanistan’s historic 21-run win over Australia in St Vincent was a momentous occasion, and Rashid subtly questioned how much of a statement CA was actually making in shunning his country when it agrees to play Afghanistan in International Cricket Council tournaments anyway.

Rashid Khan (L) calls for Australia to change their mind on playing Afghanistan outside of World Cups. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

“Some things, which is not under the control of anyone in cricket and that’s something we can’t do anything about it. Wish we could do something, and wish that was kind of a solution for it, we would be happy, but I don’t know what’s the solution for that,” Rashid said.

“And those things which are not under the control, and cricket is not the solution, I don’t think we can bring sports into that. If there is other solution, you can take that. But I don’t think cricket is the solution of politics and things like that.

“If we play in a World Cup, why don’t we play in bilateral series?”

Rashid gave an emotional account of what playing – and beating – the might of Australia means to the people of Afghanistan, and pleaded with CA administrators to recognise their bilateral boycott is only making things worse for cricket lovers in his country.

Cricket fans converge in large numbers in Khost province to celebrate #AfghanAtalan's historic win over Australia in the #T20WorldCup. 🤩#AFGvAUS | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeampic.twitter.com/F22TvOoDRq

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 23, 2024

“Cricket is the only source of happiness back home. That’s the only source left in Afghanistan where people could celebrate. And if we keep that source away from us as well, I don’t know where Afghanistan will remain,” Rashid said.

“Once you take this source and happiness as well from us, I think it’s going to be hard for us.

“Whenever I go to Australia in Big Bash, I think I have got so much love and support from the fans there. They have given me so much love.

“Even in the 2022 World Cup when we were playing in Adelaide against Australia, I got more support than them and that was so satisfying.

“I think I call them a family.”

Rashid Khan loves playing for Aussie crowds at the Big Bash. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Rashid said in an interview before the World Cup with the ICC that he was still having nightmares following Glenn Maxwell’s incredible unbeaten double century, batting on one leg, which broke Afghanistan hearts at last year’s ODI World Cup in Mumbai.

Maxwell was threatening to haunt Afghanistan again when he was powering at 59 off 41.

Had the Australian No.4 batted another two or three overs his team would have won the match, but his departure in the 15th over allowed Afghanistan to seize the game by the scruff of the neck.

Leg-spinning great Rashid admits he feared he was having the same nightmare over again, until relief and joy took over.

“I think I can sleep better now,” Rashid said.

“I didn’t sleep the whole night (after Maxwell’s double ton) and I feel like tonight because of the happiness I won’t be able to sleep again.

“That’s how happy the whole team is and the whole country. It’s a massive win for us as a team, as a nation.”

Originally published as ‘Only source of happiness’: Rashid Khan urges Cricket Australia to reconsider stance on bilateral matches