We Believe We Have A Chance Of Making The World Cup Semifinals: Mohammad Shahzad

Afghanistan star Mohammad Shahzad believes his country has the potential to beat any subcontinental team and is hopeful of making it to the last four of next year’s World Cup.

Mohammad Shahzad has witnessed Afghanistan’s remarkable rise in international cricket. Barely a couple of decades ago, even affording cricket accessories was a distant dream for the Afghan mass. But the hurdles did not stop them from working hard to realise their dream, and they are now duly rewarded for it.

They are now one of the most improved and exciting teams in the game. In 2008, Afghanistan had made it to division five of the World Cricket League which was five stages below World Cup qualification. Three years later, they earned the ODI status. And just four years after that,  they made it to their maiden 50-over World Cup in 2015 – a remarkable success for a nation which started playing the game in refugee sites.

The fairy-tale just kept on getting better, and in 2017 they earned their Test status. Earlier this year, they defeated two-time world champions, Windies in the final of the World Cup Qualifiers to make it to next year’s World Cup. They also whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 in a T20I series and played their first-ever Test against India. In the Asia Cup, they beat Sri Lanka and nearly defeated India before the eventual winners managed to salvage a tie.

So it is not all surprising to hear from Shahzad that his side can beat any team on its day.

“On our day we can beat any of the sub-continental teams. Our batting is coming together, we have fast bowlers in Dawlat Zadran and Aftab Alam and you all know about our spinners,” he told Sportstar.

Shahzad also said that Afghanistan are confident of making it to the semifinal of next year’s World Cup.

“We believe we have a chance of making the semifinals,” he said.