Former England spinner makes bold prediction regarding Afghanistan cricket ahead of World Cup 2023

Rashid Khan as well as Noor Ahmad, the Afghan spin twins, who play for the Gujarat Titans, have been a challenge for the rival teams in the current Indian Premier League season. In the IPL 2023, Rashid and Noor collaborated to take 30 wickets between them. While Rashid has a solid reputation in the IPL, GT skipper Hardik Pandya opted to support the 18-year-old Noor, a move that has benefited the defending champions.

What did the former England bowler Graeme Swann say about the Afghanistan team?

Former England bowler Graeme Swann recently made a startling prediction about the Afghan spin twins during a conversation. Swann believes that if Rashid and Noor can repeat their IPL heroics at this year's premier event, Afghanistan might win the ODI World Cup, which will be played in India later in 2023.

Graeme Swann was confident of Afghanistan’s chances at this year’s World Cup considering the kind of talent they have in their spin department. He said, "Every nation should be jealous that India have so many good wrist spinners in the country. The only nation that shouldn't be jealous is Afghanistan. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad are possibly the best two bowlers in the world currently. Afghanistan can win the World Cup if they keep going."

In his first T20I match against Zimbabwe, Noor, who has already played for Afghanistan in white-ball cricket, recorded a score of 4/10. Notably, Afghanistan finished last in the points standings after losing all nine of their matches throughout the 2019 World Cup in England.

Rashid, on the contrary, has played for his nation over 5 Tests, 86 ODIs, as well as 80 T20Is, while claiming 326 wickets in total. The kind of experience Rashid Khan has over the course of his international career as well as playing franchise cricket can be crucial for the Afghanistan team going forward. Rashid has played in more or less most franchise competitions and has been a lethal bowler for his side almost every time. He would now be expected to play a vital role for his country during the World Cup later this year.