Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s leg-spinner, denied feeling pressure during his stint as captain, and laid out his philosophy quite simply – “I just try to enjoy myself”.

Speaking after his five-wicket haul against United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, Rashid said his achievement had been a “good feeling”.

Rashid’s wickets helped Afghanistan to a five-wicket win, which helped them stay in contention for a spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

"It’s a good feeling to take a five-wicket haul and to be able to contribute to the bowling department,” he said. “I did well in the last matches as well, the only thing was I got quite unlucky. Today, taking wickets, it was a good day for me. There is no pressure on me, [as] captain or not, or even as a bowler. I just try to enjoy myself,” he said.

Despite the win, Afghanistan still need other results to go their way if they are to claim one of the two spots up for grabs in the World Cup next year.

But Rashid remained hopeful and said: “Anything can happen in the Super Sixes and it is quite difficult for everyone.”

“Still none of the teams have qualified for the first two [spots]. Everyone is in doubt and that’s a good thing. We just have to win our last game and see whatever the result is.”

Rashid returned 5/41 as Afghanistan had UAE bowled out for just 177 in 43 overs. But the chase wasn’t straightforward, with Afghanistan slipping to 54/5 before Gulbadin Naib and Najibullah Zadran put on an unbroken 124 to guide the chase and secure victory, the ICC reported.

Rashid later admitted there was significant help for the bowlers, both overhead and off the pitch.

“In the first ten overs of the first innings, there was something for the fast bowlers,” he said. “The ball was moving a lot, and when I came to bowl, the ball was spinning. Initially the ball was gripping and spinning, which helped us in taking early wickets and putting early pressure on them. At the end, they [UAE] tried to play some shots and they gave away the wickets.

“The batters [Naib and Najibullah] did really well. They got the responsibility when we lost five wickets for 50-60 runs, and that was a really good partnership. That was the plan for them to go and play till the end. And they did a good job and finished the game,” he said.

As for UAE, the loss meant they had no chance of progressing past the Super Sixes, reported the ICC.

All teams have now played two of their three matches in the Super Sixes. The final three games left in this round are:

* Windies v Scotland, Wednesday 21 March
* UAE v Zimbabwe, Thursday 22 March
* Ireland v Afghanistan, Friday 23 March

To find out how Afghanistan can secure a spot in the World Cup CLICK HERE.