India, Feb. 15 -- There was dejection writ large on his face as Rashid Khan, not just the Afghanistan skipper but their talisman, took it upon himself to do media duties on Sunday ahead of the Group D game against United Arab Emirates. The media attendance was thin, but Rashid Khan took every question with a smile, although every response revealed the pain.

This T20 World Cup has pitted Afghanistan in their own Group of Death and coming into the tournament, they knew a win over New Zealand or South Africa will be needed to escape into the Super 8. Defeat to both has effectively eliminated the 2024 semi-finalists. Canada are the fifth team in the group.

Afghanistan have emerged as a team to contend with in white-ball cricket, a good bunc...