Sarfraz Nawaz: “Pakistan must beware of the genuine threat Afghanistan pose, as they are second-last hurdle in Pakistan’s path to the semi-finals”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Ex-Pakistan seamer Sarfraz Nawaz has revealed that the national team should be wary of Afghanistan ahead of their World Cup clash at Headingley on Saturday.

Sarfraz noted that Afghanistan have nothing to lose going into the match as they have already been eliminated from race to reach the semi-finals.

He added that since Afghanistan have lost all seven of their World Cup games thus far, they will be looking to end their campaign off on a high by winning their last two matches.

Should Pakistan lose to Afghanistan, it will end their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals.

“Pakistan must beware of the genuine threat Afghanistan pose, as they are second-last hurdle in Pakistan’s path to the semi-finals,” Sarfraz told The Nation.

“Afghanistan has nothing to lose so they will play fearless cricket. I think the same applies to Pakistan as well, as by losing three matches, minus run-rate, Pakistan was almost at the brink of elimination from the World Cup. They have played superb cricket, beaten tough opponents and now once again, they have chance of making it to the semi-finals.

“Their destiny lies in their own hands as if they play according to their strength and [keep] their feet [on] the ground, they are bound to defeat Afghanistan and Bangladesh.”

If Pakistan beat Afghanistan, they will then have to take down Bangladesh at Lord’s on July 5 in order to have any chance of reaching the last four.

However, even if they defeat Afghanistan and Bangladesh, it might not be enough as they will have to rely on the results of other matches.

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