Asia Cup 2018: 3 reasons why Afghanistan might win the tournament

The fight for the Asia Cup has begun and are almost halfway through the competition. One of the Asian giants Sri Lanka were surprisingly knocked out of the tournament along with Hong Kong from the other group.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afganistan have progressed through the super four rounds and would compete for the final two spots. The Afghan team has looked in great touch and were the table toppers from group B winning two out of two matches defeating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh comprehensively.

Though Afghanistan lost the first super four match against Pakistan, it was a thrilling contest and could have gone either way. The journey of this team has been incredible and have gained giant strides in the international circuit.

The Afghans have come with a mission to win this tournament and looking right on the track. Let us find out why this team could surprise everyone and emerge out as the Asian champions.

#3 Balanced team

Afghanistan team has produced a lot of match winners and looked a formidable team

The Afghanistan team has been one of the most popular teams in Asia Cup as they are performing brilliantly and are marching towards their goal. The Asghar-led side has come with a purpose to win this tournament.

The new look Afghan team has looked one of the most balanced sides and are equally strong in all the three departments. The batting department has been one of the biggest positives with players like Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi leading the way.

The bowling was always the strongest area of Afghans with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi consistently taking wickets in a heap. The fast bowlers Aftab Ahmad and Gulbadin Naib have looked great with their fiery pace and accurate lengths.

The team is also full of all-rounders like Gulbadin, Nabi and Rashid who can contribute with the bat, and change the course of the match. The combination is looking perfect, and if they play to their full potential, they could win this tournament.

#2 Rashid Khan - The X-factor

Rashid's current form will be crucial in the Asia Cup

The story of Rashid Khan has been one of the most inspiring ones and has come a long way as an international cricketer. He is the number one bowler in the limited overs format and has performed consistently over two years.

Rashid has that X-factor which has taken the Afghanistan cricket to new heights and has also established as a Test playing nation. He has single-handedly won matches for the Afghan team with his accurate spin bowling.

The 20-year old spinner has also shown glimpses of his batting abilities and has scored runs in crucial moments. In the Asia Cup league stage against Bangladesh, he scored a match-winning 57 runs which changed the course of the match.

Rashid is an equally brilliant fielder and has been the complete package for the team. He has looked in ominous touch in this tournament, and if he performs the same way, then Afghanistan could create a history in the Asia Cup 2018.

#1 Sublime form

Afghanistan have played consistent cricket in 2018

It was Asia Cup 2014 where the Afghanistan team made their mark in the international cricket where they defeated Bangladesh on their home soil.

In 2016 T20 World Cup, they defeated West Indies who were the winners of this tournament. It was eminent from these performances that this was no ordinary team and are destined to do something special.

Afghanistan continued their journey and achieved a lot of success recently especially over the last two years. They won the ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2018 and had whitewashed Bangladesh by 3-0 in the T20 series.

The match-winners are not limited to any one player and have performed brilliantly in the hour of need. Afghanistan is playing super fours and needs to win the remaining matches to qualify for the finals.

With the current form of the Afghan team, they could win the Asia Cup 2018 and become an Asian giant.