'We had a one per cent chance of qualifying for the World Cup'

Rashid Khan and Mohammad Shahzad have praised Afghanistan's team spirit after their “miracle” turnaround in fortunes at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier earned them a spot at the CWC next year.

After three losses in their opening three CWCQ matches, Afghanistan stood on the cusp of being eliminated from a tournament they had been favourites to progress from. They required victory from all their remaining games, and for many other results to go in their favour, to stand any chance of qualifying for the CWC. They duly delivered.

“When we were about to not qualify for the Super Sixes it was very disappointing for us, because the way we worked hard in the last four or five months for the qualifiers – we weren’t expecting to be in this position,” said Rashid after their thrilling victory over Ireland on Friday 23 March.

“We made it to the Super Six and from then on, everything changed. We started to win against West Indies, and then a miracle happened between UAE and Zimbabwe – something very unexpected.

“We had in mind anything can happen. If we lose to Scotland, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong, why can’t Zimbabwe lose to UAE? We just needed to focus on these three games – and win them.

Rashid, who claimed 3/40 on Friday as Afghanistan’s spinners dried up the Irish runs, recalls how his team felt rejuvenated after being given a lifeline earlier in the tournament.

“A few guys watched [UAE v Zim] here in the ground, but I watched in the hotel," said Rashid. "It was a real high-pressure match. Then we had to have a team meeting, so we were in the meeting when someone came in and said “Zimbabwe lost”. We knew we’ve got a chance and we’ve got to take it.”

“We’ve just got to win three matches. We need to play positive cricket. We need to show the world how good we are. Never give up. Keep your head down and focus. We played really well in the Super Sixes."

Rashid was full of praise for opener Mohammad Shahzad: “He has major role in the team. He’s the one that gives us a good start. We expect a lot of these innings from him in the future as well.”

A fired up Shahzad also spoke passionately after his side’s heroic win, as he looked ahead to the CWC in England in 2019.

“We had only one per cent chance to qualify for the World Cup. We can’t believe it but anything is possible in cricket. Sometimes we were thinking we were out (of the Super Sixes). We prayed for the other teams. When Nepal beat Hong Kong, then UAE beat Zimbabwe, we were into the semi-final. Now we beat Ireland and have qualified for the final.”

Afghanistan's skipper Asghar Stanikzai was forced to miss the opening stages of the Qualifier due to undergoing surgery to remove his appendix late last month, and his absence had proved costly. “Yes, it affected the group stage,” said Shahzad. "He’s an experienced captain. When he came back, he was only 50 per cent fit but he played for the country."

Shahzad believes team spirit and a collective will to win went a long a way to deciding their fate: “We’re always united. We eat together. Pray together. We go everywhere together.”