Asia Cup 2018: Afghanistan has Sent Warning to Other World Cup Teams - Asghar Afghan

Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan, is of the opinion that Afghanistan has sent warning signals to some of the major nations ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England.

Before the start of the tournament, Asghar Afghan had warned other teams that his team would not only compete but would achieve something special.

Though they failed to qualify for the finals of the Asia Cup 2018, Afghanistan put up some exceptional performances and managed to finish the tournament with a thrilling tie against India. They began their campaign with a resounding victory by 91 runs against Sri Lanka. The Afghanistani team lost their next two matches to Pakistan and Bangladesh quite narrowly and got knocked out of Asia Cup 2018.

However, Asghar Afghan believes the performances have been enough to send a warning to other teams who will be part of the 2019 World Cup.

Asghar Afghan feels Afghanistan has sent a warning to other World Cup teams

“We can hold our heads high, and this performance gives us pride,” said Asghar after the India game in Dubai. “Remember, this is a warning for the World Cup teams.” There is no doubt about the fact that Afghanistan has made giant strides in international cricket. They featured in the Semi-final of the Junior World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year. Afghanistan also won the Asia Cup in Malaysia in the presence of bigwigs of cricket India and Pakistan.

Afghan is pretty confident of the fact that things will fall in place as Afghanistan hopes to beat more prominent teams in the future.

“I am just trying to make sure everything gets to the level of the bigger nations,” said Asghar, whose first major competition was the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Afghanistan has some bigwigs in the team

“We want to beat the bigger teams, that’s how we improve. At the end of the day, winning is important to me.”

The players of Afghanistan has got the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the very best in the world in T20 Leagues. They also have a superstar in the team in the form of Rashid Khan. He was also the 2^nd highest wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League 2018 with 21 scalps to his name.

“I think the leagues are very important for our players,” said Asghar. “A few of our guys have played different leagues and sharing the dressing room with experienced international players has helped.” Meanwhile the skipper Asghar Afghan lauded the team for improving in the batting department.

“Definitely, we have improved in our batting,” said Asghar. “In the Asia Cup it was okay, but when we’re going to a mega event like the World Cup, there is still lots to improve.”

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni who led India against Afghanistan in the absence of Rohit Sharma feels Afghanistan has improved by leaps and bounds.

“I think their cricket has gone up a lot,” said Dhoni. “If you see how they’ve continued playing right from the start of the Asia Cup, it’s been commendable. They’re the one country that has risen through the ranks,” he wrote.