'We will have a new T20 World Cup winner in Afghanistan'

In the upcoming T20 World Cup, cricket enthusiasts are anticipating a new champion. Former coaches of India and Afghanistan, Lalchand Rajput, believes Afghanistan could be that team. Currently coaching the UAE cricket team, Rajput previously coached Afghanistan during their exceptional rise to Test status in 2017. Despite not reaching the semifinals of the 2017 One Day World Cup, their T20 performance has convinced Rajput that Afghanistan could clinch the championship this time.

Rajput stated, "I feel Afghanistan could emerge as the new champions of this T20 World Cup. Their impressive spin bowling gives them an edge, especially against South Africa if conditions favor slow wickets in the first semifinal."

Reflecting on their journey, he added, "Before the start of the T20 World Cup, I predicted that Afghanistan would upset major teams. They've had close matches against India in previous One Day World Cups, but this year, they have played exceptionally well. Their performance speaks volumes."

Afghanistan will play their first semifinal ever in the World stage, facing South Africa. Neither Afghanistan nor South Africa has played in a final before, ensuring a new finalist in cricket's global arena. Whether a new champion emerges will be known only after the final.