Former India batter Mohammad Kaif lavished praise on the Afghanistan cricket team for their performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He said that the Rashid Khan-led side are the strong contenders to win the tournament.
Afghanistan recently defeated Papua New Guinea by seven wickets to qualify for the Super 8 of the marquee event. After this win New Zealand are out of the tournament. Fazalhaq Farooqi was the pick of the bowlers, he got three scalps to bowl out Papua New Guinea for 95 runs. While chasing, Afghanistan lost three wickets in quick succession but Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib helped the team to chase down the score in 51.1 overs at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
Kaif also lavished praise on Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan for their performance in the marquee event. Fazalhaq is currently the highest wicket-taker of the tournament. He picked 12 wickets in three outings including a fifer.
"Afghanistan are in good form. Their bowling is in form, where Fazalhaq Farooqi has even picked up a five-wicket haul and Rashid Khan is in form. If we talk about the two openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, they are in great form. Afghanistan are top contenders to win the World Cup in these conditions," said kaif on star sports.
Kaif also explained that Afghanistan holds the advantage because the side has played all their matches in the West Indies so they already know the condition of every pitch in the island nation.
"They are playing all their matches here (in the West Indies). They didn't go to the USA at all. Spending two or three weeks there, they exactly know how to bowl and bat on which pitch. They have got an idea of the conditions and their players have form," Kaif observed.
Mohammad Kaif on Afghanistan's batting
Kaif also pointed out that Afghanistan's main problem is their batting. If they start batting well then they have the bowling to beat the greatest team.
"Their problem was batting. If their batters fire, Gurbaz gives a good start, and runs are put on the board, they have the bowling to beat the greatest of teams on their day. I have spoken about Rashid Khan and we saw Farooqi's shape and swing. He is in exceptional form," he said during the same discussion.
Afghanistan will now face West Indies for their upcoming clash which will take place at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on June 18. This will be the last match for the team before Super 8.
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