Do n't know the solution to that, Australia, you say?

Rashid reiterated that they are happy to play the team, but that they have no power over what happens after the game.

Rashid Khan wishes there was a" option for it" and" we could do something," but he is unable to do many about" some things that are beyond the power of cricket." The Afghanistan T20I commander was responding to whether beating Australia at the T20 World Cup on Saturday evening in St Vincent gave them more pleasure.

The context of the inquiry was centered on Cricket Australia's choice to not enjoy Afghanistan unilaterally because of" a marked decline in human rights for women and girls" there. Earlier this year, Cricket Australia postponed a scheduled three- match T20I set with Afghanistan. CA have likewise postponed the opening of a one- off Test for the same purpose.

" Well, we are footballers, and we love athletics", Rashid said at the write-up- match press conference. " People back home love sports. Cricket is the only source of happiness in India, as I previously mentioned. That's the only resource left in Afghanistan where people may enjoy. And if we divert our attention away from that source, Afghanistan wo n't remain there.

" We sportspeople just think about the cricket. Everyone agrees that activities bring the entire country up and bring everyone together. So, for me, we're often happy to play against any part, and that's the only method where our cricket does increase day by day. We have some issues that are beyond the power of cricket, and we have no power over them. Wish we could do something, and wish that was a kind of solution for it, we would have been happy, but I do n't know what's the answer for that."

After CA decided to postpone their ODI set, Rashid threatened to leave the Big Bash League in 2023. Shortly after ACB had labeled CA's decision to play Afghanistan due to the human rights problems as "pathetic," Rashid's open position joined a chorus of protests from Afghanistan's adult cricketers.

Rashid later softened his position and put his name off in the drafts but was forced to miss the game through damage. On Sunday, Rashid reiterated they're happy to play the team, but have no clear control of things that happen beyond cricket.

" We're happy to play any side, but as I mentioned earlier, some things, government, and political things, I do n't know much about these things, and I do n't like it as well. I do n't know what to do about this, but my only constant reminder is that I enjoy playing against large teams. I love to go all around the world to play and I have received so much so much love from all.

" Whenever I go to Australia for Big Bash, I think I have got so much love and support from the viewers there. I've received a lot of passion from them. In 2022 T20 World Cup, when we were playing in Adelaide against Australia, I got more assistance than them. And that was but satisfying".

Rashid reminisced the love and support he received in the aftermath of his father's passing during the BBL in 2019, and termed fans in Adelaide]he plays for Adelaide Strikers ] as "family", while maintaining" cricket is n't the solution for politics".

" Playing in Australia, I've got huge help in every area. The kindness I got in Australia, particularly during the difficult times in 2019 when my dad passed away, that was the hardest moment for me when I was in Australia. And the amount of love and support I got from everyone in the team, and also the fans]was immense], I think I call them a community.

" But as I said, I love to sing all around the world. And those things which are not under the control, and cricket is not the solution, I do n't think we can bring sports into that. If there is another option, you can take that. Do n't believe cricket to be the solution to politics and such things.

" So, yeah, if we play in the World Cup, why do n't we play in bilateral series? I think we're happy to play against the best part. We learn from them. We get better day by day. But that's the only factor I you say".