We didn’t play well, admits Rashid Khan

KABUL Cup Qualifier match, says skipper Rashid Khan.

In a photo-finish, Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by two runs at Bulawayo on Tuesday. The hosts won the toss, elected to bat first and scored 196 runs.

Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Zadran clinched three wickets apiece, with Dawlat Zadran taking two and Mohammad Nabi one.

The Afghan batsmen took a careful start, chasing the target of 197, but they a sudden top-order collapse.

Zadran and Shapoor, through their last wicket partnership, represented the only hope of a sensational victory. However, they fell two runs short of the target.

Rashid Khan told a press conference after the loss: “its part of the game. Our batsmen didn’t play well and lost wickets quickly. We have played a lot of matches here and are familiar with playing conditions.”

He added: “We are still in the run and treat the next two matches as crucial. We would try not to repeat the mistakes made in the last two matches.”

Mushtaq Rahim, a cricket expert, said Afghanistan should win both matches by big margins to find their way to the supper-six stage. Afghanistan would take on Hong Kong and Nepal.

sa/mud