The ghost of a T20 World Cup 2026 super over loss to South Africa continues to torment Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan. In a thrilling group stage encounter, victory slipped away in the second super over, leaving an indelible scar.
Ahead of the UAE showdown at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Rashid shared his raw emotions with reporters. ‘Truth be told, it’s incredibly difficult. Erasing a defeat like that from your head is near impossible. We controlled the game but failed to finish it.’
Rashid recalled a similar ordeal. ‘That 2023 ODI World Cup game versus Australia at Wankhede lingered forever—until our 2024 T20 World Cup triumph over them began easing it out.’
Frustration boils over the preparation. ‘We’ve grinded relentlessly for 18 months with the right approach. This mindset will fuel not only future matches but our long-term success.’
Two group stage defeats—to New Zealand and South Africa—have pushed Afghanistan to the exit door. The captain blamed sparse high-stakes practice. ‘Limited games against powerhouses leave us vulnerable in do-or-die scenarios. More T20s against them would expose weaknesses and build strategies.’
He painted a stark picture. ‘Two losses in four days against NZ and SA, and poof—World Cup over. It’s a unique pressure; stay sharp mentally and physically, or one error ends it all.’
Familiarity breeds confidence, per Rashid. ‘Playing them regularly lets you decode plans. New Zealand surprised with aggression post-wickets; prior series would have clued us in.’
Silver linings exist. ‘We didn’t mess up badly. Solid cricket, just bad luck. Being in the second super over proves our quality and hard work.’
With UAE on February 16 and Canada on 19, Rashid’s side fights for survival in the T20 World Cup.