Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan harbours dream of playing in Kabul

CHENNAI: Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan said Saturday he dreams of playing an international match at home in Kabul, which for him would be “bigger than the World Cup”.

Khan will captain the surprise 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finalists against New Zealand in their opening match of the 2026 edition in Chennai on Sunday.

But he said the ultimate prize for him would be to lead out Afghanistan one day in the capital Kabul in front of their home fans.

“Yes, that’s bigger than the World Cup to be honest, for me and for the team,” Khan told reporters.

“Then all the media, all these people will see how people back home in Afghanistan are.

“How they are welcoming international players and how they are enjoying cricket.”

The war-ravaged nation has never hosted an international match, instead having to play their nominally home fixtures at adopted grounds in India and the United Arab Emirates.

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“It’s something which is more than a dream to be playing international cricket in your own country,” said Khan.

“When you play in your own country, it’s a kind of different feeling and the world will see the country Afghanistan as well, how beautiful it is.”

Afghanistan beat New Zealand, West Indies, Australia and Bangladesh on their way to the semi-finals two years ago.

But this time they are in a tricky-looking Group D where they will also have to face South Africa, Canada and the UAE, with only the top two progressing to the Super Eights.