Afghanistan’s last chance to head home on a high

LEEDS: Afghanistan, who have so far been winless at the World Cup despite displaying flashes of brilliance, will look to end their campaign on a high as they face the West Indies in their last match at Headingley in Leeds on Thursday.

It was a heart-break against Pakistan, much like it was against India, as the Gulbadin Naib-led side let the game drift away from their grasp at critical junctures. While the spinners have lived up to their reputation with consistent performances throughout the tournament, the fast bowlers and the batting unit have failed to contribute significantly to the team’s cause.

Afghanistan will, however, be quietly confident as they take the field against West Indies — the opponents they have beaten thrice in four completed matches, including the seven-wicket triumph in the World Cup Qualifier final in Zimbabwe last year.

West Indies, much like Afghanistan have failed to produce an all-round performance, barring their opening match victory against Pakistan — their only success in this World Cup so far.

While fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell has been a star performer with the ball, the batsmen, despite some good individual performances have failed to put up a significant total due to the lack of partnerships. But the way Nicholas Pooran shone with an excellent century against Sri Lanka three days ago, the signs are promising for the future.

Meanwhile, Gulbadin admitted his team would benefit from the emergence of a top-class pace bowler to supplement their quality spin attack.

Although Afghanistan spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are potential match-winners, Gulbadin knows the team needs a sharper pace attack to trouble the world’s best teams.

“If you look over the last two or three years, we’re just depending on spinners, especially when Mujeeb joined the team,” Gulbadin said. “We have two spinners in Rashid and Mujeeb. So if you work on the fast bowlers in the last two or three years, maybe we have good pacers now in this tournament.

“This is a problem. We didn’t find the fast bowlers’ department. We all worked on the spinners, so that’s why we have world-class spinners.”

Gulbadin has not given up hope that his country’s talent scouts can unearth the kind of quality pace bowler he needs.

“If you find two, three, good fast bowlers, maybe it will be good for us here in the World Cup,” he said. “Hopefully in the future we can find a good fast bowler. And I’m hoping

I’ll be working on it.”