‘Someone like Shakib leading the side makes huge difference’

Bangladesh will face Afghanistan in their first match of the Asia Cup tomorrow but while skipper Shakib Al Hasan was not present for the Bangladesh press conference, question was asked by the media regarding the all-rounder to Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan during the Afghanistan press event.

Bangladesh have played nine T20s against Afghanistan so far, winning three and losing five while there was an abandoned final during the tri-nation series at home in 2019 which saw the two teams share the trophy at Mirpur. The last series between the two teams also ended in a draw.

Afghan captain was happy to live in the moment and not delve too much on the result before the game.

"I think we all prepared well and had good game against Sri Lanka but that is gone day before yesterday. Tomorrow is a new game and we always plan for every game and we don't think about what happened in the past and what happened in the future. We just think about taking one game at a time and giving hundred percent and that is what we can do it.

"It's just hard work and preparation that we have in our hand and yeah other teams taking us lightly is not something we can handle and what we can is just to express our skills here," Rashid said today.

Rashid, who joked during the press conference that he himself was not an all-rounder after being asked to comment on all-rounders, spoke about sticking to the process against Bangladesh. The two skippers share a camaraderie from their stint at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Rashid spoke on his opposite number and the impact Shakib might have in the game.

"Tomorrow will be a different condition in Sharjah and yeah, Shakib is skipper now and also the most experienced player in the side and definitely that really helps because someone like him leading the side is making a huge difference but at the same time it's all about the process you go through and as a player we have that in our mind.

"We know our roles for tomorrow and that is something we can handle we don't think about what will happen we don't think about the result," he said.

Having beaten Sri Lanka in the first game, Afghanistan would make it through the three-team group an into the Super Four stage if they win against Bangladesh. Rashid left for the training session after the press event.

Meanwhile, Shakib had opted out of the optional training session today. Seven players including the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahmudullah Riyad and Parvez Hossain took part in the session.