Young Afghan side 'among the favourites' for T20 World Cup

A young Afghan side with an average age of just 25 have vowed to give audiences back home rare cause for jubilation at the T20 World Cup after a breakthrough performance at the 50-over showpiece.

Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 (Image Source: Google)

'They are our heroes'

Despite decades of war and poverty Afghan cricket has strengthened, with new academies, sponsorship deals and tournament financing.

Their first match at the 2024 World Cup is on June 4 against Uganda in Guyana.

"Our team has arrived and are playing at a very high level in a short space of time," cricket enthusiast Afzal Khan, who trains at the Rashid Khan Cricket Academy in Kabul, told AFP.

"They are our heroes, they will have a place in my heart forever," said the 19-year-old, who hopes to fill the shoes of Afghan captain and ace spinner Rashid Khan.

"They have struggled through lots of difficulties to bring the team and our cricket to this level."

In an interview published by the ACB last week, Khan pledged: "We will shine well in this World Cup too, and match the expectations of our compatriots."

Back home in Kabul, another young cricketer in training made those expectations very clear. Naseem Khan told AFP "this will be the best World Cup for Afghanistan".