Rashid acknowledged the importance of women's cricket as part of full ICC membership ahead of Afghanistan's first match against New Zealand at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWomen's team? Definitely. I feel that\u2019s part of the criteria for being a full member. The ICC and the Afghanistan Cricket Board know best, but we love to see anyone representing Afghanistan on any stage. It\u2019s a proud moment, and you\u2019re representing your country,\" he said in the pre-match conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid also accepted that, as players, they have limited powers, and the decision to allow the women's team to represent the country ultimately lies with the Afghanistan Cricket Board.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut yes, ultimately the decision lies with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the ICC. As players, we don\u2019t have much control and can only focus on what we can influence. In this situation, there\u2019s little we can do, but our support is always there. The bigger decisions are made by those in charge, and they take it forward,\" Rashid said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rashid also accepted that, as players, they have limited powers, and the decision to allow the women's team to represent the country ultimately lies with the Afghanistan Cricket Board.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Afghanistan is placed in a tough group D, where they will first take on New Zealand on February 8, and then they will move to Ahmedabad to face South Africa on February 11. Rashid's team will next travel to Delhi to face the UAE. The last World Cup semi-finalists will end their group stage with an encounter against Canada on February 19. The top two teams of their group will move to super 8 stage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n