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The talented spinner Rashid Khan has turned down the opportunity to take on the captaincy of the Afghanistan T20 team, expressing concerns that it might impact his performance on the field.
Rashid Khan revealed to ESPNcricinfo that having clarity in mind about being better off as a player and finding his role as vice captain felt more suitable since it allowed him to assist the captain whenever the need arose.
According to Rashid Khan, stepping away from Afghanistan's captaincy seemed to be the best decision for him.
Emphasizing the significance of his performance as a player, Rashid Khan stated that he was focused on his contributions to the team's success as a player, as for him, on-field performance held greater importance than taking up the additional responsibilities of Afghanistan captaincy.
Rashid Khan also pointed out that with the upcoming World Cup T20, assuming the Afghanistan captaincy would have required him time to adjust, affecting his preparation for the crucial tournament.
Rashid Khan remarked that with the World Cup just around the corner, it would have been challenging for him to juggle both roles effectively.
Rashid Khan further highlighted the need for sufficient time to adapt to the Afghanistan captaincy role. He added the importance of being given at least a year or two, since one can manage and understand the responsibilities better, therefore making it easier to adapt and handle the position better.
Following an investigation conducted by ACB's Investigative Committee, Afghanistan recently removed their skipper, Asghar Afghan, across all formats. Despite facing defeat against Zimbabwe in the first Test of a two-match series, they managed to level the series by winning the second encounter.
In light of the leadership changes, Hashmatullah Shahidi was appointed captain for ODIs and Tests, with Rahmat Shah as his deputy. Rashid Khan had previously led the team for a brief period after the 2019 World Cup, where Afghanistan struggled under Gulbadin Naib's captaincy, leading to his subsequent removal following a disappointing performance against the West Indies later that year.
In conclusion, Rashid Khan's decision to decline the Afghanistan captaincy of the national T20 team reflected his self-awareness and commitment to maintaining peak performance on the cricket field.
As a player, he prioritised his role as vice captain and believed that his on-field contributions held paramount importance for the team's success. With the World T20 approaching, Rashid's focus remained on preparing himself as a player rather than taking on additional responsibilities that could have potentially hindered his performance.
Afghanistan's leadership changes signified a new chapter for the team. While Rashid Khan had briefly captained the side in the past, he believed that sufficient time and experience would have been necessary for him to embrace the captaincy fully.
As the talented spinner continues to excel in his role, his dedication to the team's triumphs serves as an inspiration for his teammates and fans alike.
FAQs
Did Rashid Khan accept the offer to captain the Afghanistan national T20 team?
No, Rashid Khan had declined the offer to take up the captaincy of the Afghanistan national T20 team.
Why did Rashid Khan decline the captaincy?
Rashid Khan believed that he was better off as a player and that being the vice captain allowed him to assist the captain whenever needed.
What was Rashid Khan's priority as a player?
Rashid Khan's priority was to focus on his on-field performance, which he considered more crucial for the team's success.
What did Rashid Khan say about the upcoming World T20?
Rashid Khan mentioned that the World T20 was close, and taking up the captaincy then would have required him time to adjust, affecting his preparation for the tournament.
How does Rashid Khan feel about the captaincy role in general?
Rashid Khan believes that one needs sufficient time, preferably a year or two, to manage and understand the responsibilities of the captaincy role effectively.
Why did Afghanistan remove their previous captain, Asghar Afghan?
Afghanistan removed their previous captain, Asghar Afghan, across all formats following an investigation conducted by ACB's Investigative Committee.
Who is the current captain of the Afghanistan team for ODIs and Tests?
Hashmatullah Shahidi is the current captain of the Afghanistan team for ODIs and Tests.
What was Rashid Khan's experience with the captaincy?
Rashid Khan had previously led the Afghanistan team for a short period after the 2019 World Cup but was later removed following a disappointing outing against the West Indies.
