Rashid confident Afghanistan can still make it to WCQ final

KABUL Cup Qualifiers (WCQ), a media report said on Wednesday.

"Anything can happen. In the Super Six, it's quite difficult for anyone to go direct," Rashid said. "Till now, a single team hasn't qualified. Everyone is in doubt. That is a good thing. We just need to win the last match and see what happens."

According to the ESPN cricinfo, the favourites tag seemed to weigh heavily on Afghanistan, who stumbled through the group stages with losses to Scotland, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong. Since then, however, they have kept themselves in the running with wins over West Indies and, now, UAE.

Afghanistan have now drawn level with Ireland, and if Scotland and Zimbabwe both lose their remaining matches, and Afghanistan win their encounter with Ireland, they can still book their place in Sunday's final.

"In this Super Six, the target was to win all three matches and just see what happens," Rashid said. "Anything can happen in the match between UAE and Zimbabwe. We can only hope for the best."

Rashid's contribution with the ball was vital to Afghanistan's success over a spirited UAE side. He took 5 for 41, stalling UAE's fight back with the wickets of Shaiman Anwar for 64 and Mohammad Naveed for a quickfire 45.

"It feels good to take five-wicket haul and to contribute in the bowling department," Rashid said. "I did well in the last matches as well, but I was unlucky in not taking many wickets. Today I took wickets, and it was a good day for me.

"Initially, the ball was gripping and turning, which helped us to take early wickets. And then we put pressure on them, with dot balls, and at the end they tried to play shots and lost wickets."

Rashid also credited Gulbadin Naib and, in particular, Najibullah Zadran. Naib was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 74, while Najibullah's 63 was his third fifty-plus score of the tournament.

"The batters also did really well," he said. "They took responsibility. Losing five wickets for 50 or 60, and chasing 180, they formed a very good partnership. They did a good job to bat to the end and win the game.

"[Najibullah] is very talented, and the way he has played in this tournament is superb. He took responsibility in the end, and that's the main thing. On these wickets, taking responsibility and playing a long innings is really good. At the end, you'll have time to hit and make some runs. He took responsibility, as he has throughout the tournament."

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