![Gillespie tips Afghanistan to reach T20 World Cup final [Source: nibraz88cricket, CricCrazyJohns/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1767265873276_Jason_Gillespie_Rashid_Khan_Afghanistan_T20_WC.jpg?type=hq)
Gillespie tips Afghanistan to reach T20 World Cup final [Source: nibraz88cricket, CricCrazyJohns/X.com]
Afghanistan stunned the cricketing fraternity during the T20 World Cup 2024 when they reached their first ICC knockouts in their history as they went all the way to the semi-final of the competition before they were defeated by the eventual runner-ups South Africa in Tarouba in a rather timid fashion after they got bowled out for just 56 runs.
However, on their way to the final, the Rashid Khan led team famously went past the former champions Australia in the Super Six after already going past the Kiwis in the group stage to knock them out of the tournament. The likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Fazalhaq Farooqi also finished as the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers in the tournament, respectively.
As they head into the upcoming event in India, the expectations are high and former cricketers are also openly naming them as their dark horses, considering their familarity to the conditions. One of these former stars who has made a bold prediction for them is Jason Gillespie, who believes that Rashid and co. can do the unexpected at the event.
Jason Gillespie makes a bold T20 World Cup prediction
During a viral Twitter (X) interaction with a fan on New Year's Day, Gillespie, famously known as Dizzy, was tagged by a fan and asked about his bold cricket prediction for the exciting year ahead, and the former player did not take long to respond and called for the Asian team to reach the final.
"Good evening my good friend and mate @dizzy259. Happy New Year Dizzy. Like ask you a question this evening. What bold off your cricket terms prediction for 2026 and why?" asked @andy_bomber1
Here's what Gillespie said:
"Afghanistan will make the World T20 final," he wrote.
Afghanistan's road in the T20 World Cup
Afghanistan will open their T20 World Cup campaign in Chennai on February 8 against New Zealand, who are also on their pursuit to win their first T20 World Cup. They have been included in Group D, which also have a strong contender in South Africa, whom they will face in their second game on February 11, before a couple of easier fixtures against the UAE and Canada on February 16 and 19, respectively.
On New Year's Eve, the Afghanistan Cricket Board have also announced their T20 World Cup squad, where Rashid will continue to lead them with Ibrahim Zadran named as a vice-captain. The likes of Gurbaz and Farooqi, who were their standout players in the last edition, will be in focus once again as they look to overcome the disappointment of going unsold in the recent IPL auction.
