Sport

‘I can sleep better now’, says Rashid Khan after Afghanistan’s win over Australia

“It’s a great achievement. And they were the winners of 2021 World Cup. So, beating a team like that, I think it always gives you so much energy and doesn’t let you sleep as well,” Rashid said.

Published

2 years ago

June 23, 2024

Ariana News

Shortly after Afghanistan’s thrilling win against Australia in their T20 World Cup match, captain Rashid Khan compared Sunday’s game to the one against the same team seven months ago during the ODI World Cup in India.

Speaking at a post-match press conference, Rashid compared the contrasting moods of the two games and how the defeat in Mumbai had shaken him up.

“I think I can sleep better now. But that [Mumbai] was a night which didn’t let me sleep,” said Rashid.

The team had come very close to a similar result last year but a freak knock of the highest order from Glenn Maxwell denied them a win at the time.

This time around, it was a very different story and Rashid’s men held their nerve to thump Australia.

“The game [in India] kept coming into my mind. It was 90 plus percent we were in the game and Maxi, the way he played that night, took the game away from us. I didn’t sleep the whole night and I feel like tonight because of the happiness I won’t be able to sleep. That’s how happy the whole team and the whole country.

“And it’s a massive win for us as a team, as a nation. It’s not just like a bilateral game. It’s a World Cup game, and definitely in a World Cup, you’re beating the best side.

“It’s a great achievement. And they were the winners of 2021 World Cup. So, beating a team like that, I think it always gives you so much energy and doesn’t let you sleep as well,” he said.

With a challenging target of 149 on a dry spinning surface, Australia were up against it from the moment they lost Travis Head in the first over of the chase.

They needed a fast start to ensure that they didn’t need to take too many risks off Afghanistan’s potent spin attack but that wasn’t to be.

However, Maxwell appeared to bat on a different surface as his unconventional methods disrupted the bowlers even as wickets fell around him.

Cricbuzz reports that the difference between the Wankhede defeat and this game was the way in which Afghanistan’s bowlers managed to hold their composure when under pressure and Rashid credited bowling coach Dwayne Bravo, who was constantly seen at the boundary rope, chatting to the Afghanistan players.

“Well, I think we as a team, we have the kind of batters, the bowlers where they always need that reminder,” Rashid said.

“Sometimes they forget the things what we discuss in the meeting. [When the] coach is here and he’s looking at me, he knows as well, especially in the batting department. Whenever we forget some things we discuss in the meeting, coach is there, head coach, he keeps reminding them. And that’s something which for a side like this, you need to have those people who remind the things to you.

“And same with DJ (Bravo); the bowlers sometimes in the heat of the moment of the game, they forget the things what we planned for specific batsman and DJ is always there to remind them what we had planned and what we are doing.

“So that’s the kind of discussion we always have and I feel there are some players who need reminders, some players they have things in their mind and experience. So, our side, once they are well guided, I think they know where to go and how to deliver,” Rashid said.

Afghanistan also didn’t shy away from getting on Australia’s nerves on the field, with wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz giving a heavy dosage of comments to Marcus Stoinis. Rashid felt that such characters were crucial for a team to maintain a high level of intensity, especially during testing times.

“Well, some guys in the team, they need that kind of fire. Once they keep silent, they forget how good they are and they need the kind of fire up in the middle. And to be honest, in this game, most happiest thing I have seen was the running between the wickets between Ibrahim and Gurbaz. And it all came from those sledging, I feel.

“They had that kind of conversation. While watching from outside, I felt like they had the competition with the fielders. I’m going to take two runs, I’m going to take one run and things like that. So, what happened with that is it kept them involved in the game, and they focused on scoring runs,” Rashid said.

“I think the advantage went to us because we had that perfect 100 run partnership. On a wicket like this, I think it’s always a wicket of 130-140. If you have a good bowling lineup, we have seen a few games before as well.

“So yeah, I think we should keep him [Gurbaz] the same in upcoming games as well… where he gets his own energy but we don’t want him to keep quiet. That’s something some players do need – that fire-up.”

Sunday’s win meanwhile comes after Cricket Australia repeatedly backed out of bilateral cricket with Afghanistan on the grounds of their opposition not having a women’s team.

Rashid alongside Mohammad Nabi had often spoken up about the cancellation of these bilateral series, voicing their strong disapproval over Australia’s stand on the issue, Cricbuzz reported.

However, in his post-match speech Sunday, Rashid chose to play down the sentiment of “revenge”. “Well, we are sportsmen and we love sports. People back home, they love sports.”

Refusing to get drawn in on politics, he went on to say “I don’t know much about these things and I don’t like it as well … my only thing always in mind is I love to play against the big teams. I love to travel all around the world to play and I have received so much so much love from everyone.”

Afghanistan will face Bangladesh on Tuesday in the last of their Super 8 matches.

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Related Topics:#Rashidkhan #T20WorldCup Afghanistan ArianaNews Australia Cricket featured

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FC Goa to take on FC Istiklol in next AFC Champions League Two match

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2025

Ariana News

As FC Goa prepare to host FC Istiklol at the iconic Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in India, football fans are gearing up for an exciting AFC Champions League Two Group D clash.

In their previous encounter earlier in the tournament, Istiklol secured a 2‑0 victory over FC Goa in Tajikistan, with goals from Rustam Soirov and Reza Dehghani giving the visitors all three points.

Istiklol enter this rematch with strong momentum from their earlier win, while FC Goa are determined to claim their first points in the group. Goa will aim to turn the tables at home, leveraging the support of their fans at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to challenge Istiklol’s attacking threat.

The two teams have faced each other only a handful of times in continental competition. So far, Istiklol hold the edge in the head-to-head record, with the previous 2‑0 victory representing their only meeting in this season’s tournament. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated rematch as both clubs vie for crucial group points.

Experts say the midfield battle will be pivotal, determining possession and the tempo of the match. Istiklol’s continental experience may give them an edge, but Goa’s speed and technical skill — especially on home turf — could prove decisive in overturning their previous defeat.

Fans can expect a high-intensity clash and can tune in to Ariana Television at 1pm tomorrow, Thursday December 25, to watch the match.

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ATN brings Winter and Summer Olympics live to Afghanistan

For the first time, viewers across Afghanistan will be able to follow the winter Olympic experience live on Ariana Television, from alpine skiing and ice hockey to skating and snowboarding, as the world’s best athletes compete across iconic Italian venues.

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2025

Ariana News

Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games live across Afghanistan, marking a major milestone for sports fans nationwide and reaffirming ATN’s position as the country’s home of world-class sport.

The first global spectacle to arrive on Afghan screens will be the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, set to take place in Milano–Cortina, Italy, from February 6 to 22, 2026.

That excitement will be followed by the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States, scheduled for July 14 to 30, 2028. The LA Games will bring together more than 200 nations and thousands of athletes across dozens of sports, showcasing the pinnacle of global athletic achievement on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

With these landmark rights, ATN will deliver comprehensive, free-to-air Olympic coverage to millions of viewers across Afghanistan. The broadcasts will connect Afghan audiences to moments of inspiration, unity and sporting excellence that define the Olympic movement.

The Olympic deals further strengthen ATN’s rapidly growing sports portfolio, which already includes major international football, futsal and cricket competitions, and reflect the network’s ongoing commitment to bringing premium global content to Afghan viewers.

From the snow-covered mountains of Italy to the sunlit stadiums of Los Angeles, ATN is set to take Afghanistan on an unforgettable Olympic journey — celebrating sport, perseverance and the power of shared global moments, live on ATN.

Fans can stay informed by following Ariana News and Ariana Television’s social media pages where details including match times and dates of all sporting events broadcast are posted.

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Cricket fever set to soar as ATN secures exclusive rights to air IPL in Afghanistan

With its extensive terrestrial reach, Ariana Television is uniquely positioned to deliver the IPL to households in cities, towns and remote areas alike.

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2025

Ariana News

Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has delivered another major win for sports fans across Afghanistan, securing the live and exclusive broadcast rights to next year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) — one of the world’s most-watched and commercially powerful cricket tournaments.

The landmark agreement means millions of viewers across the country will be able to follow every boundary, wicket and nail-biting finish of the IPL free-to-air on Ariana Television, reaffirming ATN’s position as Afghanistan’s undisputed home of world-class sport.

Often described as the crown jewel of global T20 cricket, the IPL brings together the sport’s biggest superstars from around the world, including elite players from India, Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa, the West Indies and beyond.

Its high-octane format, packed stadiums and dramatic finishes have made it a global phenomenon, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers each season.

For Afghan cricket fans — among the most passionate and knowledgeable supporters in the world — the deal represents far more than just entertainment.

“This is a historic moment for sports broadcasting in Afghanistan,” an ATN spokesperson said. “Cricket is deeply woven into the fabric of Afghan society, and the IPL is the pinnacle of modern cricket. By securing exclusive rights, ATN is ensuring that Afghan viewers remain connected to the very best the sporting world has to offer.”

The agreement builds on ATN’s growing portfolio of premium international sports rights and follows a series of high-profile acquisitions that have elevated the network’s reputation well beyond the region.

With its extensive terrestrial reach, Ariana Television is uniquely positioned to deliver the IPL to households in cities, towns and remote areas alike.

Afghan players have also played an increasingly prominent role in the IPL in recent years, with stars such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad among others becoming household names through their performances on the tournament’s biggest stages. Their success has inspired a new generation of Afghan cricketers — and fans — making the IPL’s availability in Afghanistan all the more significant.

Media analysts say the deal is a major boost for Afghanistan’s broadcast landscape, at a time when access to international sport remains limited in many parts of the world.

“Securing exclusive IPL rights is a statement of intent,” said one regional media expert. “It shows that ATN is not only competing at an international level, but winning. For advertisers, audiences and the wider sports industry, it reinforces Afghanistan as an active and engaged market.”

With this latest acquisition, ATN has once again proven its ability to bring the world’s biggest sporting spectacles directly into Afghan homes — ensuring that when the first ball of the IPL is bowled next year, Afghanistan will be watching live, together.

Fans can stay fully up to date by following Ariana News and Ariana Television across official social media platforms, where schedules, match times, broadcast dates, and the latest updates on all live sporting events are shared regularly.

Viewers are encouraged to follow these pages to ensure they don’t miss a moment of the world-class action being brought to screens across Afghanistan.