"Hum to doobe hai sanam, tumko lekar doobenge": Gulbadin warns Bangladesh

Some highly-rated performance by the spinners have helped Afghanistan improve their performance and Gulbadin believes his team have what it takes to topple the world's best

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib issues a cheeky warning to Bangladesh ahead of their World Cup clash on Monday. "Hum to doobe hai sanam, tumko lekar doobenge (We are already drowed darling, but we'll take you with us)," a smiling Gulbadin said when asked about the match against Bangladesh. Yet to win a match, Afghanistan are already out of the tournament while Bangladesh are still in the reckoning with five points from six matches. Bangladesh need a win against Afghanistan in order to remain in contention for a semifinal berth. Some highly-rated performance by the spinners have helped Afghanistan improve their performance over the past couple of matches and Gulbadin believes his team have what it takes to topple the world's best. Gulbadin's side restricted a star-studded India line-up to just 224 at the Hampshire Bowl their lowest total in this World Cup. However, the Indian bowling attack ensured their 11-runs defeat in Southampton on Saturday. Afghanistan skipper was optimistic about his spinners as they seek their first win of the competition. "You saw against India. India has the best batting attack all over the world. So if the wicket helps our spinners, maybe it's very difficult for everyone, not only Bangladesh," he said ahead of Monday's match. "I know Bangladesh also have showed their skills in this tournament, how they played, and they chased 320 against West Indies. Our spinners are one of the best spin attacks in the world.  When the wicket is suitable for us, it's very difficult, not only for Bangladesh, but for everyone." Key to the upturn in Afghanistan's fortunes has been the Hampshire Bowl pitch that is conducive to spin, and they are set to play their second successive game in the same venue. "We struggled a lot in these conditions in the first three or four games .The surface and the wickets are totally different. We didn't expect it. It's totally different in the last two games. It's a very good wicket for us especially, so it's like Asian conditions, the ball turning, especially in the last game against India. "Everyone is just trying to do well, especially the senior players.  They have pressure, but every tournament together we're discussing the small, small things. What's wrong? What do we want to do to get better?"