Revealed: Why Rashid Khan Stepped Down As Afghanistan T20 Captain?

Rashid Khan released his statement on social media right after Afghanistan announced its squad and said that the ACB did not obtain his "consent for the team" that will play the T20 World Cup.

Rashid Khan, Photo Courtesy: AFP

New Delhi: There has been a lot of uncertainty about cricket in Afghanistan ever since the control of the nation has been taken over by Taliban. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup on September 10, Friday, but minutes after the announcement, Rashid Khan decided to step down as the captain of the Afghan World Cup side.

In the ICC T20 World Cup, Afghanistan cricket team will play under the captaincy of senior cricketer Mohammad Nabi. Taliban has said that it will support men's cricket in Afghanistan, but Rashid Khan did not like the way the ACB management is working.

The star leg-spinner released his statement on social media right after Afghanistan announced its squad and said that the ACB did not obtain his "consent for the team" that will play the T20 World Cup.

An ACB spokesperson told Cricbuzz, “Rashid Khan was not happy about the team selection. When he saw the squad, he was furious and decided to step down from the captaincy. He will no longer lead the team.

"All this happened within a few hours. Rashid Khan relinquishing the captaincy and Mohammad Nabi being appointed as the captain, all this happened within hours of the team being announced. Our acting chairman has done everything forcefully. Rashid is upset as to why the team was not selected on the basis of fitness, performance and discipline."

"As the captain and responsible person for the nation, I reserve the right to be part of the selection team. The selection committee and ACB has not obtained my consent for the team which has been announced by ACB media," Rashid wrote in his statement on Twitter.

🙏🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/zd9qz8Jiu0

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) September 9, 2021

"I am taking the decision of stepping down from the role as the captain of Afghanistan T20 side effective immediately. It’s Always my proud playing for Afghanistan," he added.