T20 World Cup 2026: ‘I try to give my 100% when I play for Afghanistan, don’t have set targets’ – Rashid Khan keeps team ahead of personal milestone

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan needs three more scalps to enter the 700-wicket club in the shortest format. However, the talismanic leg-spinner isn’t concerned about the personal milestone. Instead, he wants to give his best for the team and help them bounce back after their defeat to New Zealand in their T20 World Cup 2026 opening clash on Sunday.

Afghanistan will return to action on Wednesday, February 11, as they lock horns with last edition’s finalists, South Africa, at the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“700 wickets, whatever the achievement is, it will continue. I have not kept any target in my mind that I will take 700 wickets and stop – no, I just try that when I play for the national team, and you play in the World Cup, then I make 100% effort,” Rashid said at the pre-match press conference ahead of Afghanistan’s crucial group-stage fixture against South Africa.

“When the team requires it, I take the wicket,” he added, underlining his team-first mentality that has defined his career.

Rashid has extensive experience playing at the Narendra Modi Stadium as he has been representing the Gujarat Titans since IPL 2022. When asked about the pitch and conditions that can be expected on Wednesday, Rashid opted to highlight the unpredictability of the game.

“To be honest, no one around the world will tell you how the wicket will behave before the game. Everyone gives their point of view—this is how it’s going to be—but sometimes it becomes like 250 wickets. Sometimes it becomes 150 wickets. But I think to put those things in the mind a lot, I think it affects you mentally as well,” he explained.

There is pressure when you play for your country: Rashid Khan

While Rashid acknowledged that playing matches at one venue gives players a fair idea about what to expect, he mentioned that the pressure at the international arena is way more than that in franchise tournaments.

“It definitely helps, but even if you have a good idea, you don’t know how the wicket will behave. If you play in the IPL, it’s different, but when you play in the ICC event, it’s different. There is pressure when you play for your country. So, it’s a different feeling,” Rashid said.

“On any day, you have to always be ready. And it’s not that if a person has played a lot, he can’t lose at all. I think you still have to bring your best game, and you give your 100%, and I feel like that should be the mindset of everyone,” he added.