The party spoilers

If Afghanistan manage to play according to the situation, they will be a real threat

Afghanistan are a dangerous outfit when it comes to T20Is. However, the Men-in-Blue have not produced their best performances in International Cricket Council’s global events.

The eighth edition of the T20 World Cup is just around the corner, which is to be played in Australia. A country, where Afghanistan are yet to play an international T20 game.

Also, they are placed in a dangerous group alongside the defending champions Australia, last edition’s runner-ups New Zealand and arguably one the favourites England.

It will be a tricky situation for the Afghan players as they have not been familiar with the playing conditions Down Under and have yet to compete against these giants.

Furthermore, it is widely believed that fast bowlers give you success in those playing conditions, while Afghanistan have always relied heavily on their spin attack.

On paper, it looks like Afghanistan will be vulnerable on fast, bouncy tracks of the continent. However, the big three of their team, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Mujeebur Rehman have proved otherwise in the decent amount of cricket that they have played on the land of Kangaroos.

The trio has been an integral part of Australia’s showpiece T20 event, Big Bash League, and the experience they gained there can play a fundamental part in Afghanistan’s journey.

Nabi has so far played 352 games since 2010 in T20Is, where he has scored 5,186 with the help of 14 half-centuries and maintained an average of 21.60 at a healthy strike rate of 137.74. Moreover, he has been handy in the conditions with the ball in hand as well, taking 28 wickets in 40 innings with an economy rate of 7.40.

Meanwhile, Rashid has been phenomenal in the league so far, dismissing 92 batters in 61 games after conceding just 6.44 runs per over. He is currently the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the history of the competition.

Mujeeb, who usually opens the bowling in the event, is another top performer in the celebrated league with 37 scalps in as many matches at an economy rate of 6.20.

On the other hand, Afghanistan seem to have found the answer to their pace bowling woes in the shape of their left-arm fast-bowling duo of Fazal Haq Farooqi and Farid Ahmad Malik.

The two have played 14 and 20 T20Is, taking 18 and 29 wickets at economy rates of 6.82 and 8.62, respectively. The two have been impressive with their swing, accuracy and change of pace.

When it comes to batting, Afghanistan have got the required firepower, the only problem is execution.

Recently, ahead of the BBL’s first draft, Rashid maintained that he would love to see destructive Afghanistan batters in the league.

The opening duo of Afghanistan, Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, is easily one of the most destructive opening pairs in the world right now. They both bat at a strike rate of more than 138 and once they get going, they can change the complexion of the game in just three to four overs.

Zazai loves playing his shots over the leg side. If he finds his form ahead of the World Cup, he might become a dangerous customer given the bounce he will get on the Australian tracks.

On the other hand, Gurbaz is a proper batter, who plays more orthodox shots but he is brutal with them. His recent inning against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup, where he scored 84 off 45 deliveries speaks volumes about his potential.

Then there is the vice-captain, Najeebullah Zadran. The 29-year-old has been outstanding in the 83 T20Is he has played so far. The left-handed batter has scored 1,559 runs at an impressive strike rate of 142.89.

With the explosive opening pair, a flamboyant no 3 or 4 and Nabi and Rashid down the order, the Afghanistan batting line can become a nightmare for any bowling unit once they get going.

The Nabi-led men have won four games out of the last 10, which means they are heading into the tournament with decent form.

All in all, the Asian team look competent in all departments of the game. If Afghanistan can take care of the rushing adrenaline and play the game according to the situation, they can advance in the tournament.

Even if they cannot advance to the next stage of the tournament, they are likely to spoil either of the other three’s (England, Australia or New Zealand) party in the event.

Squad:

Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Qais Ahmad, Rashid Khan, Salim Safi, Usman Ghani

Reserves: Afsar Zazai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib