New Zealand‘s T20I captain Kane Williamson has praised Afghanistan’s bowling prowess as his team prepares to kick off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against them in Providence on Friday night. Williamson, who acknowledged the growing strength of Afghanistan’s team, emphasized the challenges posed by their experienced bowlers.
Afghanistan’s bowlers, gaining more experience through international and franchise cricket, are becoming a formidable force in the tournament. “Certainly a number of players in their side,” Williamson said. “I mean, all of the players, to be honest, they have such a skillful team, one of the better bowling attacks, I think, in the competition.”
Highlighting the contributions of Afghan players in various franchise leagues, Williamson noted their continuous improvement and the strong performance they showcased in the last ODI World Cup. One significant threat is star legspinner Rashid Khan, whom Williamson has played alongside in the IPL.
“Obviously, Rashid’s been around for a while now, although still a young man, but an extremely gifted world-class player,” Williamson said. “But there are a number of other players in their side throughout, really, that make them an exciting team and a real challenge.”
Reflecting on his own World Cup preparation, Williamson discussed his limited playing time in the IPL season, where his team, Gujarat Titans, did not advance to the knockout stage. Despite this, he focused on maintaining fitness and enhancing other aspects of his game.
Williamson also praised the decision to expand the T20 World Cup to 20 teams, viewing it as beneficial for the sport’s growth. “It’s a fantastic thing. I remember playing in World Cups when I first started and they were bigger tournaments, you know, and that sort of exposure is only beneficial for all teams,” he said. “And then you come to tournament time and anything can happen, which is the beauty of the sport, but ultimately great for the growth.”
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