Most cricketers would count down whenever they were on the verge of a milestone. But Rashid Khan is not. The Afghanistan spinner has made one thing clear – there is no finish line in sight.
“700 wickets, whatever the success is, it will continue. I didn’t have any target in my mind to take 700 wickets and stop – no, I’m just trying, when I’m playing for the national team and you’re playing in the World Cup, then I give 100% effort,” Rashid said in a pre-match press conference ahead of Afghanistan’s decider against South Africa.
He sits just three wickets short of a historic 700 in T20 cricket, Rashid’s focus remains unwavering. Personal milestones give way to him when the team needs him most. “When the team requires it, I take a wicket,” he added, underscoring his career-first mentality.
The stage is set for something special. Afghanistan will face South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad – a venue Rashid knows intimately from his time there. Gujarat Titans in IPL. However, despite the confidentiality, the rider is concerned about putting too much stock in past performances or field reports.
FAMILIARITY DOES NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS
The numbers tell an interesting story. In 23 matches at the venue, Rashid has taken exactly 23 wickets – hardly the kind of dominance one would expect from a bowler of his calibre. It will also be his first appearance on the ground in Afghanistan colours, adding another layer of significance to the occasion.
But Rashid doesn’t let statistics cloud his judgment. When asked about the conditions and expectations on the field, he was refreshingly candid about the unpredictability of the game.
“To be honest, nobody in the world is going to tell you how the wicket is going to behave before a game. Everybody’s going to give their point of view – that’s how it is – but sometimes it’s going to be 250 wickets. Sometimes it’s going to be 150 wickets. But I think if you put a lot of thought into those things, I think it affects you mentally,” he explained.
It is this mental clarity that separates Rashid from many of his contemporaries. Instead of thinking about conditions or getting stuck in what-when, he trusts his preparation and adapts on the fly.
WORLD CUPS WERE DONE DIFFERENTLY
Amidst all the talk of venue familiarity and personal milestones, Rashid was quick to point out that World Cups operate on a whole different level. The pressure, the stakes, the weight of national expectations all change the equation.
“It definitely helps, but even if you have a good idea, you don’t know how the wicket is going to behave. When you play in the IPL, it’s different, but when you play in an ICC event, it’s different. When you play for your country, it’s under pressure. So it’s a different feeling,” Rashid said.
He continued: “Every day you have to always be ready. And it’s not that if you’ve played a lot you can’t lose at all. I think you still have to play your best game and give 100% and I feel like that should be everyone’s mindset.”
It’s a philosophy built on humility and realism—recognizing that experience counts, but is never a guarantee. Every game requires the same commitment, the same intensity, regardless of what came before.
BACK AGAINST THE WALL
Afghanistan found itself at a crossroads. After opening their campaign with a defeat, they face South Africa knowing their Super 8 hopes hang in the balance. The margin for error has evaporated and they need their talisman to deliver.
But if Rashid’s words are anything to go by, he won’t be burdened by expectations or distracted by personal glory. His eyes are on the prize that matters – victory for Afghanistan. The 700th goal will come when it comes. At the moment it is necessary to win the World Cup.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 10, 2026
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