ICC ODI World Cup | Afghanistan will upset some of the top team, claims Lalchand Rajput
Former Afghanistan coach Lalchand Rajput reckons that the current Afghanistan team are more than capable of pulling off a few upsets in the 2019 edition of the ICC ODI World Cup which will be held in England & Wales. Afghanistan open their campaign against defending champions Australia on June 1.
The Afghanistan national cricket team have come a long way since they made their debut against Scotland back in 2009. Under the guidance of former coach Lalchand Rajput, the relatively new entrants on the international stage have produced some eye-catching performances over the last couple of years or so.
In recent months, the Afghani team reached touched new heights as they managed to record the highest score in a T20I as they posted a total of 278/3 against Ireland in Dehradun. Former chief coach Rajput reckons that the side is capable of pulling off a few upsets in the 2019 ICC ODI World Cup.
“Afghanistan have got one of the best bowling attacks, especially (their) spinners. In England if there is a good day, where the ball grips and spins, I think they will change some of the games and they will upset some of the top teams as well.
“Their batting is a little bit on a slower side (and) playing in England, especially for batsman when it is helpful wicket, it will very difficult (and) you have (to) adjust to it (the wicket). But on a bowling front, they would upset some of the bigger teams on a day where the ball grips. The main game-changer in their team is Mohammad Shahzad and if he gets going in the first half an hour or 45 minutes and he can get quick runs and can really change (the game). Overall I think, they are the team to watch (out for),” Rajput, who is currently the Zimbabwe coach, told PTI reporters on Monday.
Pacer Hamid Hassan and former captain Asghar Afghan were included in Afghanistan’s 15-man World Cup squad headlined by IPL stars Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi. Gulbadin Naib will lead the team which also features Mohammad Shahzad and KXIP spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman. Rajput further added that SRH star Rashid Khan will be an important figure in the Afghanistan dressing room as he has the ability to single-handedly win his team matches.
“Rashid Khan is a match-winner and with his experience with IPL, Big Bash, Caribbean League and he knows how to win matches. A lot of people have started hitting him, but as I said in England if it is a helpful wicket where the ball grips, it will be difficult to hit him.
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