Afghanistan and Bangladesh are the two countries whose cricket teams can set the Thames on fire in the forthcoming world cricket tournament due in England early next year. Both these teams have shown an appetite for becoming number one in the game of cricket. The rise of the Afghani cricketers has been phenomenol. In the recent Asia cup matches played in the Emirates they have succeeded in establishing their identity both with the bat and the ball. They have the makings of great players. The Bangladeshi cricketers too have proved themselves as great cricketers. There is no gainsaying the fact that India is considered to be the hot favourite to win the next world cricket cup tournament though England too stands a fair chance of lifting it as its team would have an added advantage to play on its home grounds but given the determination and passion of Afghanis and Bangladeshis they are quite capable of springing surprise in the said tournament. It was heartening to note Shaheen Afridi making his mark as a left arm seamer, lately. He would go places if he continued to play with the zeal shown by him in the Asia cup. India too should be happy to discover a good left arm seamer in Syed Khalique Ahmad who, like Shaheen Afridi, is in his early twenties.
Afghanistan is lucky to have a very good all rounder in the shape of Arshad Khan who is going to be their main spin bowling weapon in the near future. He also bats well. This is not to denigrate teams like South Africa and Australia who cannot be written off entirely. Their players too have a lot of potential and on their day they can beat any cricket team worth its salt.
Afghanistan and Bangla-desh can spring surprise in the next cricket world cup. Mark my words.
- Latest
- Trending
