Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan appealed for calm and sportsmanship on Thursday ahead of a high-stakes T20 tri-series opener against Pakistan, calling on fans to embrace the unifying power of cricket.
Speaking at a press conference before the tournament’s first match in Sharjah, Rashid urged fans to avoid a recurrence of the crowd clashes that marred a similarly intense showdown in 2022.
That confrontation culminated in violent exchanges among supporters following Pakistan’s narrow, last-over victory, prompting then‑PCB chairman Ramiz Raja to label the behavior “hooliganism,” and resulting in the temporary detention of several Afghan fans.
“[My] message to everyone who comes and watches the games in the stadium is that cricket brings unity,” Rashid said. “It brings people and nations together. It sends a peaceful message. This game is all about enjoyment. We play this game to enjoy ourselves and give entertainment to the crowd and the fans. It’s just a game of cricket. I ask people to come, enjoy themselves, support their respective teams and enjoy every moment of the game.”
To prevent potential flare-ups, organizers have arranged separate seating for Afghanistan and Pakistan supporters and heightened security precautions — a measure also implemented during last year’s bilateral series between the two sides in the UAE.
On the competitive front, Rashid downplayed the notion of any team being a clear favorite in the fast-paced format, noting that in T20 cricket, match outcomes often hinge on standout performances from a couple of players.
“No team is favourite, especially in T20Is. You have to play good cricket. One or two players can totally change the game. Everyone will be trying to deliver their best performances.”
The tri-series, which features Pakistan, Afghanistan, and host UAE, runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 7 and serves as a final tune-up ahead of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup starting Sept. 9. Pakistan and Afghanistan face off in the first match, followed by back-to-back games, with the top two teams meeting in the final on Sept. 7.
