The 2024 T20 World Cup within the West Indies and USA demonstrated that Afghanistan is now not simply making up the numbers.
The unbelievable expertise pool within the nation’s reserves, coupled with the expertise it has gained by taking part in cricket in leagues around the globe, has made the group a critical contender to go deep into ICC tournaments.
The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led group has carried out exceptionally effectively for the reason that 50-over World Cup in India in 2023, the place it earned wins in opposition to England and Pakistan and took Australia to the brink, solely to finish up dealing with the wrath of a sure Glenn Maxwell.
In 5 bilateral sequence for the reason that ODI World Cup, Afghanistan has received 4, together with one in opposition to South Africa within the UAE.
The Afghan Atalan’s solely loss got here in an away tour in opposition to Sri Lanka, the place they have been batted out of competition by Pathum Nissanka.
Afghanistan’s success in limited-overs cricket has been constructed on the platform offered by its openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.
The 2 right-handers have mixed for 1,514 runs in 31 ODI matches, averaging a partnership of 48.83 per sport.
The duo is positioned second on the all-time partnership record for the nation, behind Rahmat Shah and Shahidi, who will bat at three and 4 — indicating the consistency the highest order possesses.
There isn’t a scarcity of power-hitting within the center order as effectively. Gulbadin Naib is coming into the competitors on the again of a stupendous return within the Worldwide League T20, the place he scored 381 runs at a median of 45 and a strike fee of practically 160.
Afghanistan’s largest energy stays its spin assault, spearheaded by the ever-reliable Rashid Khan. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi has loads of choices at his disposal, highlighting the group’s depth on this division.
Such is the wealth of spin expertise that Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, recent off a formidable SA20 marketing campaign, couldn’t discover a spot within the squad. In the meantime, teenage spinner AM Ghazanfar has been dominated out of the Champions Trophy as a result of a again damage. In his place, Afghanistan has drafted in 20-year-old left-arm spinner Nangyal Kharoti, who has seven ODI caps and will likely be desirous to make his first look since dealing with Bangladesh in Sharjah late final yr.
Afghanistan’s tempo assault presents a well-rounded mixture of abilities, making it a formidable unit. Azmatullah Omarzai’s capability to swing the brand new ball provides the group an edge within the PowerPlay, serving to to make early breakthroughs. In the meantime, Fazalhaq Farooqi — who topped the wicket charts on the 2024 T20 World Cup — will likely be a key weapon at each ends of the innings. The left-arm seamer can generate motion early on and shift gears with intelligent variations on the dying, making him an important asset in Afghanistan’s bowling lineup.
Nevertheless, a possible concern for Afghanistan lies in its capability to chase down massive totals. The group has struggled when set a goal of 300 or extra, profitable only one out of 10 such encounters. This inconsistency in high-pressure chases might show to be a stumbling block within the Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan will tackle South Africa, England, and Australia in Group B, with its matches happening in Karachi and Lahore.
If the group is welcomed by its neighbour with flat pitches, the onus will fall on the batting core to rise to the event.
Nevertheless, if there’s a trace of activate provide, anticipate Afghanistan to provide the opposite three groups a run for his or her cash.
Participant to be careful for: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
At 23 years outdated, Gurbaz has develop into a relentless fixture within the Afghanistan white-ball setup and T20 franchise groups throughout the globe. In 46 ODIs to date, the opener has scored 1,769 runs at a median of 39.31 and a wholesome strike fee of 88.49.
The keeper-batter’s quick begins within the PowerPlay and his partnership with Zadran helped Afghanistan attain the T20 World Cup semifinals final yr, and the group will likely be hoping for extra of the identical this time spherical.
Full squad:
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami