Rashid Khan on almost another Glenn Maxwell nightmare: ‘I couldn’t sleep that night in 2023, I won’t sleep tonight because of happiness’

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan can rest easy now for his side pulled off their biggest win yet in T20Is, beating a star-studded Australia in a crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match in St Vincent on Sunday.

Nearly eight months back during the ODI World Cup, Afghanistan had come within striking distance of handing the Aussies a major setback at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai before an otherwordly heist from Glenn Maxwell powered Australia home. Chasing a 292-run target then, Australia were reduced to 91 for seven before Maxwell and skipper Pat Cummins forged an unbeaten 202-run stand for the eighth wicket. Battling severe cramps, Maxwell finished the game on a high registering a 128-ball double-hundred during a knock laced with 21 fours and 10 sixes.

At the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, Maxwell found himself in familiar waters steering an Aussie chase of 149 on a dicey pitch. Though the all-rounder struck a half-century, Maxwell failed to take Australia over the finish line as they suffered their first tournament defeat. Reacting to Maxwell’s capitulation after the match, Rashid said he could finally put the memories of Mumbai to rest.

“I think I can sleep better now. That was the night I didn’t sleep. The game kept coming into my mind. It was like 90 percent we were in the game and Maxi (Maxwell) the way he played that night, he took the game away from us. I didn’t sleep the whole night. I feel tonight I won’t be able to sleep because of happiness.

“That’s how happy the whole team is, and the whole country is. For us, as a team, and as a nation, it’s a great achievement. It’s not a bilateral game, it’s a World Cup game and we’ve beaten a big side. It’s a great side. They are the winners of the 2021 World Cup. So beating a team like that, it always gives you so much energy. Doesn’t let you sleep as well,” Rashid added.

Having pipped New Zealand to make a Super 8 spot, Rashid’s side had not gotten off to a positive start with a heavy defeat against India. However, the Afghans are now in with a firm chance of making the semi-finals should Australia slip-up against India on Monday.

Afghanistan will also have the advantage of playing the final game of the Super 8s against Group 1 laggards Bangladesh in Kingstown on Tuesday.

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