'Just The Beginning Of': Ricky Ponting Makes Big Claim About Afghanistan's Future After T20 World Cup 2024

Afghanistan cricket team at T20 World Cup 2024 Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS Afghanistan made history at the T20 World Cup 2024.

Ricky Ponting spoke about future of Afghanistan's cricket team.

Ricky Ponting had high praise for Rashid Khan as well as others.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has made a big claim about the future of Afghanistan after their fairytale T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. The Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan made history by reaching the semifinals for the first time after finishing second in the Super 8s Group 1, eliminating Bangladesh and Australia from the tournament.

According to Ponting, Afghanistan's run to the semi-finals of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is just the start of an amazing journey for them.

"It's hard for an outsider to try and explain just how big it is for them. They stood up under the biggest pressure, the biggest moments, the biggest teams at this World Cup, and thoroughly deserved their place in the semi-final," Ponting was quoted as saying by ICC.

"It's an epic journey. I'm sure it's just the beginning of bigger things to come for Afghanistan," he added.

Two-time ODI World Cup winner had high praise for skipper Rashid Khan as well as bowlers Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi , and picked Rahmanullah Gurbaz as a stand-out star. He was also impressed with how Afghanistan had operated as a unit and adapted to match situations.

"The thing is they've been really smart - they've identified conditions early. They've held the keys, their opening batters and their opening bowlers right throughout this tournament. If they can find another couple of middle-order batters over the next few years, they'll have a very good side," said Ponting.

The 49-year-old said that the associate nations who have been part of this year's expanded tournament can take plenty of inspiration.

ICC T20 World Cup Notably, the2024 was the biggest-ever edition of the tournament, with 20 teams vying for the trophy for the first time. The next edition of the T20 World Cup will be played in India and Sri Lanka in the same format, with four groups of five, before two Super Eights groups, semi-finals and a final to crown the next champion in 2026.

"Ten years ago, that was Afghanistan. 15 years ago, that was Bangladesh. 25 years ago, that was Sri Lanka. And look at where they are now. You really have to start somewhere. You hope that when they go back home, they've learnt a lot from their experiences here," said Ponting.

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