Afghanistan can win the ODI World Cup if Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad keep going: Graeme Swann

Former England spinner Graeme Swann was full of praise for Gujarat Titans (GT) spinners Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad for their efforts in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). In the ongoing season, the Afghanistan spinners have proven to be a challenge for the opponents. In the season thus far, the two players have collectively bagged 30 wickets. 

Rashid is an established star in the cash-rich league and is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker this season, having picked 19 wickets from 11 matches. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Ahmed has got backing from GT skipper Hardik Pandya in the ongoing season. He has bagged 11 wickets from seven matches so far in the competition.

During a recent interaction with selected media personnel, Swann an IPL expert with the official digital broadcaster Jio Cinema, has made a startling prediction about the Afghan spin twins. The 44-year-old believes that if Rashid and Noor can replicate their IPL performances at the 2023 ODI World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India in October 2023, Afghanistan may win the title in the major event.

“Every nation should be jealous that India have so many good wrist spinners in the country. The only nation that shouldn’t be jealous is Afghanistan. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad are possibly the best two bowlers in the world currently. Afghanistan can win the World Cup if they keep going,” Swann said.

Afghanistan finished bottom of the points table in 2019 Cricket World Cup

Afghanistan made their debut in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. The 2019 Cricket World Cup in England was the second World Cup in which Afghanistan qualified under the captaincy of Ashar Afghan. In 2019, Afghanistan faced all the other teams which include Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. Notably, they failed to win any of their nine games, finishing at the bottom of the points table.