Rashid looks at adapting to Tests more

Over the last few years, Afghanistan cricket has come a long way, especially, in the shorter format of the game. They have played 56 ODIs in the last three years and won 25 of them and have appeared in 23 T20Is in the same time span winning 20. These stats are good enough to prove that Afghanistan are not minnows in the limited-over cricket anymore, but when it comes to Test cricket, they are yet to gain respect from their opponents. 

Rashid Khan, who is set to be the youngest Test captain tomorrow, believes that it is high time Afghanistan adapted more to the longer format. Afghanistan will be looking at this aspect in the Chattogram Test which will commence tomorrow at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. 

“We are really excited about (playing another Test). Playing a Test is always a huge matter of pride. We never thought about the opposition at all since we played against India and Ireland. We always focused on playing Test cricket in a Test way because it is different from the other formats of the game,” Rashid told the media during the pre-match press conference at Chattogram, Wednesday. 

Afghanistan have faced Bangladesh in 13 international matches and according to Rashid, the previous encounters have helped them form a familiarity with the Tigers and he hopes it will make their job easier in Chattogram. 

“We know each other. Bangladesh and us have played a lot of ODIs and T20Is. We know their batsmen and we know their bowlers. And they know us as well. So, it will be a great contest. We will try to give our 100 percent and enjoy the game. We don’t think much about the result. We rather are focusing on doing everything the right way,” the Afghan captain added. 

Rashid, the 20 years and 249 days old bowler, will play the game as the youngest Test captain ever. He is set to surpass Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Taibu who led his country at the age of 20 years and 358 days. 

“It’s quite good to be leading the team at such a young age. It is a big opportunity for me to learn something at a very young age. It’s always a great pleasure to be in the team,” Rashid added. 

However, Rashid is rather interested in focus on the game than his age and captaincy. He said, “Forget about me being the captain. Representing your team in Test matches is always a matter of huge pride and pleasure for a player. We have the talent and skillset. We just need to make sure that we will play positive cricket. This game (Test) is all about being more patient and calmer.”