The cricket fans in Afghanistan woke up to a pleasant surprise. What Afghanistan came agonisingly close to doing it at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on November 7, 2023, they managed to do it in St. Vincent more than seven months later. Australia who cancelled their home series against Afghanistan were beaten by 21 runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Seven months earlier, it was Glenn Maxwell who stopped them from tasting the sweet victory. Maxwell was a giant roadblock on June 22 as well but this time Afghanistan had the last laugh as their muscular Gulbadin Naib broke through the mighty Australians. After the win, Rashid Khan reflected on the night he could not sleep in disappointment and compared it with present day when the celebrations won’t let him sleep a wink till the sun comes up.
“I think I can sleep better now. But that was a night which didn't let me sleep. The game kept coming into my mind,” Rashid said in the post-match presentation.
“Definitely, I didn't sleep the whole night (on November 7, 2023) and I feel like tonight because of the happiness, I won't be able to sleep. That's how happy the whole team is,” said the leg spinner who sported an ear-to-ear smile.
What the victory means to Afghan people
Rashid gave a perspective to what this victory means for the team and people back home at Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
“It's a massive win for us as a team, as a nation. It's not just like a bilateral game. It's a World Cup game, and definitely in a World Cup, you're beating the best side. It's a great achievement. And you're (Australia) the winners of the 2021 World Cup.
“So, beating a team like that, I think it always gives you so much energy and doesn't let you sleep as well,” the 25-year-old said.
Lucky to be the reason for happiness
Rashid reiterated that cricket is Afghan people’s only source of happiness. He considers the team lucky to be able to do it.
“And I mentioned earlier, 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.
“I feel like we are so lucky to be here giving this happiness to people back home. We hardly see these kind of events back home where they could celebrate and enjoy those moments. That's something which really, really satisfies me,” the captain added.
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