'It does hurt, you do want to play against best teams' - Rashid Khan reflects on CA postponing Afghanistan series indefinitely

Star Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan recently came forward and expressed how he was hurt by the decision of Cricket Australia (CA) to indefinitely postpone Australia's scheduled three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The three-game series was scheduled to be played in August 2024. 

CA came forward to state that they will be postponing the series due to their consultations with the Australian government because of "a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls" in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

Speaking about the same, Rashid Khan opined that he was hurt by the decision, and this could come to hurt Afghanistan as the side hugely benefits from taking on some of the best teams in world cricket. 

"It does hurt you; you do want to play against the best teams, and that's where your cricket is going to improve more and more. You only get the opportunity to play against them [Australia] in the World Cups, but not in bilateral series,” Rashid Khan told ESPNcricinfo. 

"Recently, we played three T20s against India, and it helped us a lot. We nearly chased 200 [212] against India. Imagine if you wouldn't have played that, where would the confidence come from? Playing against big teams is huge for us,” he added.

Why do you want me to play in your country?: Rashid Khan

Furthermore, Rashid Khan talked about how he could be looking to reassess his stance in regards to participation in the BBL (Big Bash League). He had threatened to not participate in the BBL in 2023 before eventually changing his decision, and the series postponement by CA has brought forth the same argument once again. 

"Lots of things come in the mind, like, if you don't want to play against my team, then why you want me to play in your country? Because I'm not allowed then in your country as well to play cricket,” Rashid said. 

"You don't want to play with my colleagues and you want to play with me? So what's the difference? It means I'm putting my colleagues down as well. My country down as well. So if I'm playing there, if money in these things comes, nothing is bigger than my country. Money will just go and come. That's not the point,” he added.