Mohammad Kaif Backs Afghanistan To Win The T20 World Cup 2024

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed confidence in the Afghanistan team's capability to clinch victory in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Under the leadership of Rashid Khan, the team has displayed an impressive performance, securing three consecutive wins and securing a spot in the Super 8 stage. Their aggressive style of play has been instrumental in their success thus far. Key players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have shone with the bat, while Fazalhaq Farooqi has been exceptional with the ball, boasting a remarkable tally of 12 wickets across three matches. Kaif emphasized the team's formidable form and highlighted their potential as a challenging opponent in the tournament, especially considering the conditions favoring their style of play.

Afghanistan's preparation has also been noteworthy, as Kaif pointed out that they spent significant time, two to three weeks, in the West Indies prior to the tournament. This period allowed them to acclimatize to the playing surface, providing them with a strategic advantage going into the remaining matches. With a strong understanding of the conditions and a confident mindset, Afghanistan emerges as a formidable force in the T20 World Cup, poised to make a significant impact as the tournament progresses.

“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,” former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif said in a recent conversation. 

“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,” the 43-year-old added.

The upcoming clash between Afghanistan and West Indies on June 17 marks the decisive finale of their league games. The victor of this encounter will secure the top position in the group, with the other team settling for second place.

Following a spectacular triumph over Papua New Guinea in their previous match, Skipper Rashid expressed his jubilation. The 25-year-old captain praised his team's adaptability to various conditions, attributing their prowess to their experience in franchise cricket. Rashid emphasized the invaluable role of franchise cricket in honing their skills in the shortest format of the game.

“We had a domestic competition before coming here and everyone are in form. That is the beauty of playing of franchise cricket as you know the conditions, some of them have played at St Lucia and know how the pitch will play which will help others. Everyone has the skill to adjust to any condition and hopefully, we will win that game (against WI) as well,” Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said in the post-match presentation.