Former coach Lalchand Rajput is backing Afghanistan do well in the forthcoming World Cup and defeat some of the toughest of its nine opponents during the showpiece ODI event. Rajput believes spinners - Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman - can help the Gulbadin Naib-led side come out triumphant even against the best teams. 

"They have got one of the best bowling attacks, especially (their) spinners," said Rajput on Monday (April 21) after Afghanistan announced its 15-man World Cup squad.  "In England, if there is a good day, where the ball grips and spins, I think they will change some of the games and they will upset some of the top teams as well."

While Asghar Afghan was sacked from captaincy duties across all formats last month, the national selectors have persisted with the veteran right-hander as a player. Pacer Hamid Hassan has made a timely return from injuries and is also included in the touring party for England and Wales. 

"Their batting is a little bit on a slower side (and) playing in England, especially for batsman when it is helpful wicket, it will very difficult (and) you have (to) adjust to it (the wicket)," Rajput added. 

"But on a bowling front, they would upset some of the bigger teams on a day where the ball grips. The main game-changer in their team is Mohammad Shahzad and if he gets going in the first half an hour or 45 minutes and he can get quick runs and can really change (the game). Overall I think, they are the team to watch (out for)."

All eyes will be on Rashid Khan, who has been simply brilliant over the last couple of years in limited overs cricket, and Rajput reckons the 20-year-old wrist-spinner will remain Afghanistan's "match-winner" this summer. 

"Rashid Khan is a match-winner and with his experience with IPL, Big Bash, Caribbean League and he knows how to win matches," he said. "A lot of people have started hitting him, but as I said in England, if it is a helpful wicket where the ball grips, it will be difficult to hit him."

"He (Rashid) will be a game-changer and with (Mohammed) Nabi — with his bowling and batting and Mujeeb (ur Rahman) they have got three best spinners in their team. I feel these three spinners can turn tables on some of the top teams."

(Inputs from PTI)