Afghanistan Cricket Board on Friday removed Asghar Afghan as the captain across all three formats of the game. Rashid Khan has been appointed as the T20I captain of Afghanistan, while Gulbadin Naib and Rahmat Shah will take over as ODI and Test captain respectively.
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan slammed the decision as he took to Twitter to defend Asghar Afghan. Rashid said, “With all the respect to the Selection Committee, I strongly disagree with the decision as it is irresponsible & bias. As we have @cricketworldcup in front of us, Captain #MAsgharAfghan should remain as our team Captain. His captaincy is highly instrumental for team success.”
Rashid further added that, “With just months to go for such a mega event like World Cup, changing the captain will cause uncertainty and also team morale will be affected. @ashrafghani @afgexecutive @hmohib.”
With all the respect to the Selection Committee, I strongly disagree with the decision as it is irresponsible & bias. As we have @cricketworldcup in front of us, Captain #MAsgharAfghan should remain as our team Captain. His captaincy is highly instrumental for team success .(1/2)
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) April 5, 2019
With just months to go for such a mega event like World Cup, changing the captain will cause uncertainty and also team morale will be affected. @ashrafghani @afgexecutive @hmohib( 2/2)
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) April 5, 2019
Asghar was appointed as the captain of Afghanistan back in April 2015, having taken over the leadership role from all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Under his stint, Afghanistan posted 31 wins in ODIs and they also registered 37 victories in 46 T20Is. He also led his country to their maiden Test win against Ireland this year. Asghar has been a regular member of the Afghanistan side since 2009, and has notched up 2013 and 1056 runs in ODIs and T20Is.
Also read: Rohit Sharma feels IPL should not be a criteria for World Cup selection