'Our main target is to fix the issues for the next World Cup' - Rashid Khan aims to learn from mistakes ahead of marquee event

In a rain-affected T20I series, Bangladesh emerged victorious, defeating Afghanistan by a 2-0 margin. The visitors were left to rue their batting failures as they struggled to find their footing in both matches. In the second game, Bangladesh successfully restricted Afghanistan to a modest 116 runs in the first innings. Bangladesh chased down the target with five balls to spare, securing their series win.

Afghanistan's captain, Rashid Khan squarely placed the blame on the batting unit for their defeat. Rashid expressed his disappointment with the top-order batters, urging them to have more control over their emotions and focus on playing the ball, rather than opting for reckless big shots. The early dismissals of Afghanistan's openers in both matches had put the team on the back foot right from the start.

"T20 should be decided on skills, and we were not good enough there, especially in batting. If we took a bit more time to score, we could've been in a better position. You need to know your role and your capacity in how you start the innings. Also, have to control emotions. That's what we are lacking. Our main target is to fix those issues for the next World Cup," Rashid Khan was quoted as saying by India Today.

Despite the series loss, Afghanistan's cricketing journey holds promise for the next two years. The team has secured a spot in the ODI World Cup in 2023, an achievement that deserves acknowledgment. Furthermore, their prowess in the T20 format positions them as potential dark horses in the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.

While Rashid Khan praised the bowlers for their valiant efforts, he couldn't overlook the fact that their lack of runs ultimately proved to be their downfall. The bowlers did well to pick up crucial wickets and apply pressure, but the meager total on the board left them with little room to maneuver.

"Just what I wanted from the boys. Good effort. We got a few wickets to put pressure, but the low score on the board didn't let us get on the right side. Yes, I am leaving in an hour or two for MLC," concluded Rashid, referring to his commitment to the upcoming Major League Cricket.