Languishing at the bottom of World Cup 2019 points table after five straight losses, people believe Afghanistan will remain there by the end of the tournament. But wrist-spinner Rashid Khan reckons his side has had a lot to learn from the experience of facing top teams in foreign conditions and is hoping to eradicate mistakes made in the tournament so far, beginning with the next game versus India in Southampton on Saturday (June 22). 

"We had come in with a lot of preparation and a plan. We tried a lot, we should have won against Sri Lanka and we had also targeted that game. But we were unlucky, we didn't play responsibly," Rashid told India Today. 

"As a batting unit we had the capability to chase the target but there are always bad days. We learnt from that game. We have learnt a lot from other games, we still have 4 matches left so we hope we won't make the same mistakes."

"We have played against India in the Asia Cup, it will be a tough game. With the kind of batting and bowling they have, they are one of the top teams in the tournament. But we will try not to repeat the same mistakes," he added. 

"Our main focus will be to field well. We will try to play positively. Whatever talent we have we will try to showcase it on the ground against India."

Thanks to last year's Asia Cup, Afghanistan played India once in the four years leading up to this World Cup. And it resulted in a tie as Rashid, along with Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb ur Rahman, choked the Indian batsmen in Dubai. Although the more experienced team had rested its key players. 

That is an encounter these brave Afghans can take a lot of heart from. Even if the challenge will be tougher this time in overseas conditions. They hardly get the chance to play against strong teams like India, Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa.

India, especially, is one of the teams Afghanistan and Rashid look up to.  

"There is no doubt India cannot win the world cup. The combination they have, the bowling lineup and the fielders they have. In this World Cup, the teams which are fielding well are winning matches."

"India has the skills in the fielding. They have better batsmen than bowlers, one of the best teams here. They can win there is no doubt," he summed up.