Winless Afghanistan plotting upsets, says skipper Naib

Tuesday, 18 June 2019 00:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

MANCHESTER, REUTERS: Afghanistan may have looked largely at sea in the World Cup but they can still pull off upsets, skipper Gulbadin Naib said ahead of Tuesday’s clash against hosts England.

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Afghanistan Press Conference - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - 17June Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib during a press conference Action Images via Reuters

The Afghans made their World Cup debut in 2015 when they beat Scotland but are without a win after four matches in their second appearance.

“We are here to win matches but it’s not easy to beat such strong teams in a tournament like World Cup,” Naib said ahead of the team’s practice session at Old Trafford.

“It’s a tough tournament, and the cricket is world class. We’re trying to create upsets and win matches. We’re looking for it.” Afghanistan gave former champions Sri Lanka a scare but suffered comprehensive defeats by South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

They could not bat out their quota of 50 overs in any of the matches and face India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies after the game against England.

“We’re trying to put everything in the middle. We know we have the potential to do better but it’s bad luck that we could not do well. We did not like how we played in the last four games.” Afghan rely heavily on their three-pronged spin attack led by Rashid Khan and Naib felt lack of turn in English surfaces had compromised their strength.

“We’re looking for some spin but we did not find it in the surfaces here,” said Naib, who hopes Old Trafford, where India beat Pakistan on Sunday, would be a different experience.

“The wicket for the India-Pakistan match had some turn. (On such surfaces), teams could be in trouble against Afghanistan.

“Spinners are key for Afghanistan, that’s how we played cricket in the last three years. Spinners are behind the high rate of our success.” With some assistance from the pitch, Rashid, currently ranked third in ODI bowler’s list, could prove quite a handful against England, Naib said.

“Rashid is not like other bowlers. He’s an attacking bowler, always attacking. It’s his bad luck that surfaces here do not suit him.

“If we get the kind of wicket used for the India-Pakistan match, Rashid could be difficult for any team, not only England.

“He is a key bowler and has been a key part of Afghanistan’s success in the last few years.”