Rashid Khan ruled out of India series but Afghanistan skipper confident others would step up
Mohali, Jan 10: Afghanistan will be without their trump card Rashid Khan in the T20 series against India starting here on Thursday but skipper Ibrahim Zadran was upbeat about the team's chances in their strongest format.
The celebrated spinner, who underwent a back surgery after the ODI World Cup in November, has been named in the squad but will not be available for the three games as he undergoes his rehab.
"He is not totally fit. He is doing his rehab. We will miss him in the series. Without Rashid there are a few players we trust," said Zadran in the pre-match press conference.
"We have many players like Mujeeb (Zadran) who have played a lot of cricket. We have trust in them. We will struggle without Rashid but one should be ready for any kind of situation," he asserted.
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Jaiswal, Archer guide Rajasthan Royals to 50-run win against Punjab Kings
Mullanpur, Apr 5 (PTI): Rajasthan Royals defeated Punjab Kings by 50 runs with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashing a fine half-century and England fast bowler Jofra Archer (3/35) rattling the top-order in an Indian Premier League match here on Saturday.
Rajasthan Royals, riding on Jaiswal's 45-ball 67, skipper Sanju Samson's 26-ball 38 and Riyan Parag's unbeaten 43, helped their team to an imposing 205 for 4 after being put in to bat by PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer.
In reply, PBKS lost four quick wickets to be in dire straits at 4/43 before Nehal Wadhera (62) and Glenn Maxwell (30) steadied the ship with an 88-run stand for the fifth wicket.
But their departure in quick succession took the fight out of the PBKS camp and were restricted to 155 for 9 in 20 overs.
Brief scores:
Rajasthan Royals 205 for 4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 67, Sanju Samson 38, Riyan Parag 43 not out; Lockie Ferguson 2/37).
Punjab Kings 155 for 9 in 20 overs (Nehal Wadhera 62, Glenn Maxwell 40; Jofra Archer 3/25, Sandeep Sharma 2/21, Maheesh Theekshana 2/26).
