World Cup 2019: Rashid should be fully fit for South Africa clash, says Naib

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib is expecting his main strike bowler Rashid Khan to be fit for the side’s next World Cup game against South Africa on June 15, following a blow to his head while batting against New Zealand.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (right) checks on Rashid Khan after the latter was struck on the head and dismissed bowled.

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib is expecting his main strike bowler Rashid Khan to be fit for the side’s next World Cup game against South Africa on June 15, following a blow to his head while batting against New Zealand.

Star spinner Rashid did not come out to bowl after being hit on the head by a sharp Ferguson bouncer in the first innings. Afghanistan eventually suffered its third loss in a row here on Saturday.

Rashid underwent a concussion test and thereafter it was decided that he would not take the field for the remainder of the game. However, Naib is not too worried over Rashid’s fitness as Afghanistan’s next game is a week away, giving him plenty of time to recover.

READ: Afghanistan waits on Rashid Khan after concussion test

“He’s feeling now better. The doctor said don’t go to the field but now he’s feeling well. So he needed rest. So obviously we have a couple of days. He’s fine now,” Naib said after the seven-wicket loss to New Zealand.

“I asked the physio if he needed rest, some headache. We have a rest of one week for the other game. So now he’s feeling well. So he should go to hospital and check for some tests. He’s well. Afghani people is strong. So it’s just a small thing,” he added.

Gulbadin Naib is confident of a turnaround.

 

'We just need one good match to turn campaign around'

Reposing immense faith in his team-mates, Afghanistan skipper Gulbadin Naib says they need just one good win to bring the campaign back on track. “If you’re losing matches, it can be difficult in the dressing room but I know my team-mates - we’re not losing one-sided matches. We just need one good match,” Naib was quoted as saying by the ICC website.

“I know how my boys are playing - we’ve played some good cricket over the last year, so we’ll try our best again,” he added

“Teams don’t go easy for Afghanistan. It’s very hard. When we did well at the start of the innings, we then collapsed in the middle. Aftab Alam and Hamid Hassan did well. “We have played three games and we’re trying to put our best on the ground. Every player is trying to do his best but it’s tough cricket, tough teams. You don’t get many chances.

“Morale is still high for us. We just need one good match and hopefully we can do that,” Naib said.