'Over 3,000 People Lost Their Lives': Rashid Khan Hopes WC Win Will Help Heal Ease Some Pain After Earthquake Tragedy in Afghanistan

Afghanistan cricket team engineered one of the biggest victories of in their history as they took down reigning ODI world champions England in Delhi on Sunday night. The win was Afghanistan’s first of the world cup since they beat Scotland way back in 2015.

Star legspinner Rashid Khan says the performance will spur the team going ahead into the competition and added Afghanistan will have the confidence to beat any time now.

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“This is a big win for us. It’s been a long time since we had a world cup win. This kind of performance gives us the belief that we can beat any side on any day.  think this win will will give us the energy for the rest of the competition. We have the belief we can beat any side,” Rashid told broadcasters after the match.

Afghanistan has been struck by a series of earthquakes in the past week which has left over 1,000 dead and flattened thousands of houses.

Rashid has already announced he’ll be donating his world cup match fee to help with the rescue work and rehabilitation following the natural calamity back home. He hopes Afghanistan cricket team’s latest exploit will help alleviate some pain back home.

“It will be a big celebration back home. Cricket is the only source that gives them lot of joy and memories. Winning the game against England is big for us. Back home, they will be so proud. Recently, we had an earthquake back home. Lots of people lost their lives – more than 3,000 people lost their lives, around 2000 houses were destroyed. I feel like this victory will put a little bit smile on their faces maybe, they can little bit forget those days.” Rashid said.

After posting a challenging 284, Afghanistan bowled out England for 215 in 40.3 overs for a big 69-run win.

Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Mohmmad Nabi combined to play a vital role in the famous win. They took eight wickets among themselves and Mujeeb won player-of-the-match award for his all-round show.

“I want to dedicate this award to the people back home, who have been affected by the earthquake,” Mujeeb said. “This is something we could do as a team and I could do myself as a player.”

Mujeeb took 3/51 and scored 28 off 16.

Afghanistan will next face New Zealand in Chennai.