Before Afghanistan's remarkable seven-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in the 30th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Monday, renowned Afghani cricketer Rashid Khan delivered an inspiring speech, urging his teammates to fight relentlessly for every run.
In a video shared by ICC on their social media platform, Rashid Khan is observed motivating his team, emphasizing their focus on battling it out with the opposition.
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"Remember these three things. Firstly, every ball we fight, if it's our batting, if it's our bowling or if it's our fielding. Our only focus should be to fight it out with the other team. Don't think about the outcome or whether we will win or not focus on the finer details instead and these finer details will paint the bigger picture. Fight for every ball," Rashid Khan emphasized.
Khan reiterated that numerous individuals pray for their success and watch their matches to witness Afghanistan's triumph, highlighting the significant role of cricket in bringing joy and happiness to the nation.
"Even if I come out to bowl later on no matter how wet the ball is I will put in my 100% effort for the team because if I think that the ball is too wet. I won't be able to bowl well and automatically, I will concede runs because mentally, I would probably give up. So whether we ball first or second in every moment we will trust ourselves and will put in 100% effort.
Thousands pray for us and watch our matches only to see Afghanistan win and triumph because cricket is the only thing that brings joy and happiness in Afghanistan," the Afghan star expressed.
Rashid encouraged his team to approach every game as a fight, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive attitude throughout.
"So as a team we shouldn't take the pressure, we only focus on the effort. Everyone wants to see that effort not just the result but a real honest effort. So as a team, we will get in and put in the effort and we also make sure of the biggest thing that we keep smiling. Go on boys," Rashid encouraged.
During the match, Afghanistan restricted Sri Lanka to 241 runs, with Fazalhaq Farooqi's impressive bowling figures of 4/34 leading the charge. Afghanistan's successful chase was led by noteworthy performances from Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah, and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, securing the team's well-deserved victory.
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