‘I have to go and stay till the end’ – Rashid Khan confesses selecting fifer despite hamstring strain against South Africa

On Friday, September 20, at the storied Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, Afghanistan, the hosts, produced yet another historic victory as they defeated South Africa in the second One-Day International. The team had just emerged from a convincing first ODI triumph over the Proteas, and this second victory was the most decisive for the Asian country. Specifically, Rashid Khan proved his customary wizardry when the ball claimed a fifer.

Chasing a goal of 312 runs, the visitors were off to a fantastic start, having scored 73 runs in 14 overs. Rashid Khan, whose hamstring was injured, started the fall and continued after he had sent Tony de Zorzi back to the pavilion. Despite suffering a hamstring injury a month prior, Rashid joked after the game that the goal was to persevere through to the very finish

“It’s unfortunate that I suffered a hamstring injury, but I did everything in my power to stay on the pitch until the very end and contribute as much as I could to the team.” Huge chance for us as a team, you know, to win the series against a powerful team, and that’s what I thought, too, so I had to go and continue through to the very end because my contribution will be crucial, Rashid Khan was cited as saying.

Maybe Rahmat Shah will play the next game: Hashmatullah Shahidi

Rahmanullah Gurbaz returned to form, hitting 105 off 110 deliveries for a magnificent century. Rahmat Shah gave him plenty of support as he amassed a crucial half-century for the team. However, the veteran’s cramping were so bad that he had to leave the pitch in the 21st over. Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan, hoped that the problem was nothing more serious than cramping.

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“I spoke with him; hopefully, he’s fine and might participate in the upcoming game. However, I believe he wasn’t feeling well before to that as well. He suffered a hamstring injury, so maybe he’ll be alright and able to play in the next game,” Shahidi stated following the game.