Afghanistan
will take on New Zealand in a crunch T20 World Cup Super 12 encounter with more
than their own fate hanging in the balance on Sunday. A win for the Kiwis will
seal their spot in the semi-finals, while Afghanistan can
themselves advance to the last four or set the stage for India’s qualification with a victory.

With so
much riding on their performance, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar wants
the Afghans firing on all cylinders for the all-important clash. Speaking during
a post-match show on Star Sports, the former opener outlined Mujeeb Ur Rahman –
who missed the last two games with injury – as key to their prospects, hoping
the spinner can recover in time to face the Kiwis.

Mujeeb last
played for Afghanistan in their massive 130-run win against Scotland, when he
picked up a historic five-wicket haul, including three in an over. However, he
missed the games against Pakistan and India due to injury as Afghanistan lost
both encounters to slip to fourth in the Group 2 points table.

Gavaskar called
the 20-year-old a “key element” for Afghanistan, saying a three-pronged spin
attack will hurt New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and boost India’s chances of making
the semis.

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“I just
want Mujeeb to be fit for that game. That would mean an additional mystery
spinner against New Zealand. If he along with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi can
weave their magic then…Yesterday against Afghanistan India got a little toe
in. Now they will have to hold forte,” Gavaskar said after India’s win against
Scotland on Friday.

“If
Afghanistan beat New Zealand, they have smashed the door. Mujeeb is going to be
such a key element for that game because he is very difficult to pick just like
Varun Chakravarthy and he has got a little more experience than him. So, he and
Rashid Khan are going to be the key,” the 72-year-old said.