Published: Mar 10, 2016, 11:38 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 11, 2016, 05:10 PM (IST)
There have been many fairy-tale stories in cricket. Bangladesh beating India in ICC World Cup 2007, Ireland beating England in ICC World Cup 2011 and more. The current Afghanistan side might just write another fairy-tale. A team which started playing International T20 cricket from 2010, Afghanistan have made giant strides in the shortest format of the game. With 26 wins in 42 matches, Afghanistan side have the second best winning percentage among all teams. In this edition of ICC World T20, this side is considered by many to be a surprise package. A young squad, whose average age is 26.4, the side is well drilled under the coaching of Pakistan legend Inzamam-Ul-Haq. Having won eight games from ten going into the ICC World T20 2016, the form is certainly on Afghanistan’s side. Having to play qualifying games against Scotland, Hong Kong and Zimbabwe in order to qualify for group stages, this tournament gives a great chance for Afghanistan to test their mettle against the big boys and provide few unexpected surprises. Also Read: Afghanistan outclass Scotland to win by 14 runs in ICC World T20 2016, 2nd Qualifier at Nagpur
The Afghanistan side has a mixture of youth and experience in their squad. In their top order, Mohammad Shahzad is one of the better wicket- keeper batsman around in world cricket. With over 1,200 runs in 42 T20 innings at a healthy strike rate of 136, Shahzad most often than not gives his side a good start. With the pitches expected to assist the batsman and bowl expected to come onto the bat in the tournament, his side will rely on him to provide a good start in the early overs. His opening partner, Noor Ali Zadran has shown grit and determination in his 13 innings, scoring 358 runs and giving a good hand in the top order. While all the praise and attention is diverted towards Shehzad, Noor Ali has silently chipped with the bat without getting much notice. The captain, Asghar Stanikzai has led the team very well, both with bat and captaincy. He comes in at a very crucial No. 3 spot, and more often than not, stabilizes proceedings when his team requires him. One can expect if Afghanistan lose and early wicket, Stanikzai will be key to seeing off the bowlers and getting runs. Also in the squad, Afghanistan have the young 19 years old, Usman Ghani who at such young age has shown his ability to play in top order, with 212 runs in 8 innings exemplifying his capabilities. While not many are expecting him to feature regularly in first XI, if a chance arises, he can more than cover up in the top order.
In the middle order, Gulbadin Naib has shown quite some promise with bat, given his role of stabilizing the team in middle overs. His career strike rate of 130 proves he is capable of delivering boundaries in the death overs. Yet, with quality opposition bowling attack, Naib will be expected to play as the anchor alongside captain Stanikzai. Playing as a finisher, Shafiqullah has been very effective in scoring boundaries and scoring very quickly in the final few overs. With an eye-popping career strike rate of 144, he will be very important to provide quick runs in the final overs and take forward the good work from his top four. Afghanistan also have a young Najibullah Zadran and veteran Karim Sadiq in their ranks as well, who can provide them good quality with the bat. Both the batsmen have the capability to fill up the slot if any injury occurs.
Samiullah Shenwari and veteran Mohammad Nabi have played a good role as the all-rounders in the side. Both Shenwari and Nabi’s role in the side is to score a few runs and get wickets. With 61 wickets and 1,038 runs among them, both the players will have to repeat their previous success in this tournament. Considering the importance of all-rounder, both the players will need be at their best.
In the spin department, Afghanistan have one of the most exciting prospects of the tournament in 17 year old Rashid Khan. A leg spinner, Rashid already has 10 wickets in eight T20 internationals and the tournament provides him with an opportunity with proving his abilities. The side also have another spinner in Amir Hamza, who left arm orthodox provides the captain with another alternative. Considering the pitches are expected to give huge assistance to spinners, both Rashid and Amir will need to be at their best. If these two can assess the conditions and get the ball into right areas, expect a lot happening for them.
In the pace department, Afghanistan have Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran who can provide them with quality in early overs and get their side wickets. Dawlat has 33 wickets in 25 T20 International’s, stating his ability to get wickets for his side. The best of the pace bowling lot is Hassan, who has an astonishing 29 wickets from just 18 games, underlining his ability to get more than 1 wicket each game. Also in this department, Afghanistan have Shapoor, who is a more than good cover for the other two fast bowlers. His stat of 25 wickets from as many games shows he can more than come in the side for the other two.
Afghanistan squad for the ICC World T20 2016 : Asghar Stanikzai(Captain), Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Karim Sadiq, Mohammad Nabi, Mohmmad Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah, Shapoor Zadran, Usman Ghani
