Aside from replicating -- or even bettering -- their run from the previous edition, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan will also be eyeing a unique individual milestone as he leads his side in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against New Zealand in Chennai today.

Rashid is on the verge of taking 700 T20 wickets, needing just four more to reach a mark never achieved by any cricketer.

“Feeling good,” Rashid said at the pre-match press conference yesterday. “I only played nine or ten years of international cricket, and to become the leading wicket-taker is something more than a dream for me. To achieve that would be something very special.”

However, the 27-year-old leg-spinner said he never keeps count of his wickets.

“But I never counted my wickets. I only knew about it through the media -- okay, I have reached 400, 500, 600 -- but I really didn’t think about it much. I just try my best every single day. I have to keep performing well for the team and pick up wickets.

“Seven hundred wickets is not something small -- getting there needs a lot of time and hard work, and I’m blessed. I’m happy to reach that milestone and hopefully can make it to 7000 (laughs),” Rashid said.

The Rashid-led Afghanistan stunned everyone in the previous edition, beating New Zealand, West Indies, Australia, and Bangladesh on their way to the semifinals two years ago.

While Afghanistan would want something similar this time, Rashid will also be keen to take himself to another level by achieving the milestone along the way.