Afghanistan players celebrate after winning their T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight match against Bangladesh in Arnos Vale on Tuesday. AFP

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been working hard tirelessly to promote cricket all across the globe.  That’s why this year, the ICC has organised the first leg of T20 Cricket World Cup in United States of America (USA). We hope cricket will get more weightage in the USA also in times to come.  We are impressed with the way USA has played in this tournament. Being novice, they put up a great show.  I am sure the USA will become a force to reckon in times to come. They have huge potential. But I am very impressed with the Afghanistan cricket team. The way they are playing in this T20 world Cup shows their dedication. First they surprised New Zealand and then they thrashed mighty Australia.

This is incredible for Afghans. I salute their courage and dedication.  They are the only team, which has managed to raise their bar in only a few years’ time. I appreciate Rashid Khan for leading his team from the front. The way he used his bowlers against Australia shows he has got excellent cricketing brain. I don’t know how far Afghans will go ahead from here, but one thing is sure that they are going to be a very strong team in few months. They have got confidence. In a tournament, where West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan and Australia have failed to make a cut and Afghans did manage to grab a semi-final spot after defeating Bangladesh on Tuesday morning.  Now they will face England on Thursday.

Rashid Ahsan,

By email