Rashid Khan fires warning to T20 World Cup heavyweights. [Source - AFP]With the T20 World Cup just two days away, 20 teams are set to collide in cricket’s biggest short-format spectacle starting February 7. As final preparations intensify, captains have been balancing training sessions with pre-tournament duties, including the ICC-organised Captain Carnival and media interactions.Like every edition, the Captain Carnival delivered entertainment and insight in equal measure. Captains enjoyed light-hearted activities, interacted freely with the media, and offered early mindsets ahead of the global event. Amid the fun and chatter, a few bold statements surfaced, instantly catching attention across the cricketing world. One such moment belonged to Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan, whose confident response during captain talk quickly became the highlight of the day. His remark not only drew interesting reactions but also set social media buzzing, adding an extra layer of excitement as the countdown to the tournament continues. Rashid Khan already dreaming of a final and historic upset During the pre-tournament press interaction, Rashid Khan was asked which team Afghanistan would upset during the competition. The Afghan skipper responded with a massive claim, confidently pointing towards the final, a statement that instantly grabbed eyeballs and sent shockwaves across the cricketing internet. “Beating which team will be an upset for Afghanistan in the World Cup?” the media asked. “Whoever comes in the final,” Rashid Khan replied.Whether this confidence borders on overbelief or reflects genuine ambition only the time will tell. However, it would be unfair to dismiss Afghanistan’s chances entirely. They have consistently proven capable of beating top sides, highlighted by their semi-final finish in the 2024 edition in the Caribbean, less than two years ago. Can Afghanistan live up to Rashid Khan’s bold claim? Afghanistan enter the tournament after beating the West Indies in Dubai, and the conditions in India could work more in their favour. Historically, Rashid and his teammates have enjoyed playing on Indian surfaces, where familiarity with pace, spin, and match situations often brings out their best cricket. Placed in Group D, Afghanistan faces a tough challenge in what many consider the group of death. With New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and UAE alongside them, margins will be tight, leaving little room for slow starts or off-days during the group stage. To push through to the Super 8s, Rashid Khan’s men will look to replicate their previous T20 World Cup campaign and go one step further into the final, as already manifested by their captain. Consistency, discipline, and the right combination will be crucial in turning belief into results in India.Rashid Khan’s words reflect Afghanistan’s remarkable rise Rashid is a cricketer who backs his words with performances. Afghanistan’s journey over the past decade speaks volumes. From their iconic win over West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup to becoming semi-finalists in the previous edition, their rise has been rapid and relentless. Fast-forward to 2026, and Afghanistan are no longer underdogs dreaming quietly. Rashid Khan’s comments may sound overconfident to some, but they reflect a side that came close last time and now openly believes it can reach the T20 World Cup 2026 final, challenge the established contenders, and pull off a historic upset to clinch a maiden title.
