Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan says he is ecstatic to have booked a semi-final spot at the World Cup but insists teammate Gulbadin Naib was suffering from cramps at the very moment coach Jonathan Trott instructed his team to slow play down with rain approaching.
There were farcical scenes during the dying stages of the Afghanistan and Bangladesh fixture when first slip fieldsman Gulbadin Naib stopped play as Rashid was about to send down a ball.
Afghanistan were ahead on DLS and a wash-out would have seen them progress. Seconds later, players left the field as Gulbadin received medical treatment.
Rashid was asked about the incident afterwards on Amazon’s coverage.
“Gulbadin had some cramp. Hopefully he will be alright. That wicket he gave to us was massive.”
The moment, which could be scrutinised by the International Cricket Council, soured a famous win for Afghanistan.
Rashid said Brian Lara was the only person who backed Afghanistan to make it to the last four.
“It’s a dream for us as a team being in the semi-final,” Rashid said. “The belief came when we beat New Zealand. It’s unbelievable. I don’t have any words. Everyone back home is so excited. The only guy who put us in semi-finals was Brian Lara. We proved that right. We told him we wouldn’t let him down. Proud of this team.”
Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan, left, embraces teammate Gulbadin Naib. Credit: AP