Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi Rally Behind Afghanistan's Unbeaten Under-19 World Cup Squad

Afghanistan's remarkable run at the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup 2026 continues to gather momentum, with the young squad drawing inspiration from an unexpected source – their country's biggest cricketing icons.

In-form bowler Wahidullah Zadran has revealed that senior internationals Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi are actively engaged with the Under-19 setup, providing crucial motivation as the team pursues glory in Namibia.

Three Wins From Three: A Perfect Group Stage

The Afghanistan juggernaut rolled on with an emphatic nine-wicket triumph over Tanzania in Windhoek on Wednesday, completing a flawless group stage campaign. The comprehensive victory underlined the depth and quality within this talented young squad.

The bowling unit has been particularly impressive, with Nooristani delivering a devastating spell of 5/9 that dismantled the Tanzanian batting lineup. Such performances have set the tone for Afghanistan's dominant displays throughout the tournament.

Senior Players Bridge the Gap

Zadran shed light on the unique connection between Afghanistan's current and future generations of cricketers.

"They are giving us lots of energy because they are messaging our head coach (Raees Ahmadzai). Like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, they are superstars you know and they are telling the boys that they are doing well and that the nation is with us."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTwOb-BEqIv/

This direct line of communication between the senior players – who are themselves preparing for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup commencing February 7 in India and Sri Lanka – and the young hopefuls demonstrates the unity within Afghan cricket.

Semi-Final Ambitions and Beyond

Zadran has made no secret of Afghanistan's ambitions at this tournament. The team's highest previous finish at a Men's Under-19 World Cup stands at fourth place, achieved in both 2018 and 2022.

"I told you on the first day in a headshot that we are not here to just participate. I said we will be in the semi-final and we will be in the final, but for now we are looking first to the next Super Six match which is very important for us."

Super Six Challenge Awaits

Afghanistan now enjoy a brief respite before their next scheduled fixture on January 26, also in Windhoek, where they will face their first Super Six opponent. The stakes will be significantly higher as they compete for a place in the knockout stages.

"Everyone is happy because we have won all three of our matches that were against top teams as in the World Cup every team is very top team, so we are really happy now and we are looking forward."

Bowling Excellence Driving Success

The bowling attack has been the cornerstone of Afghanistan's success. Nooristani's inspirational five-wicket haul against Tanzania exemplified the clinical approach the team has adopted throughout the competition. With such match-winners in their ranks, Afghanistan will fancy their chances against any opposition.

Looking Ahead: A Nation's Hope

As Afghanistan's senior players prepare for their own global challenge at the T20 World Cup, their investment in the next generation speaks volumes about the cricketing culture being cultivated in the country.

With the Super Six phase beckoning, this unbeaten Afghanistan side carries not just their own dreams, but the collective hopes of a cricket-mad nation. If Zadran's confident predictions prove accurate, Afghan cricket fans may have plenty more to celebrate before this tournament concludes.