Afghanistan hope new found batting confidence bolsters their spin genius
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.
Sixth position in Pool A (2015 Cricket World Cup)
Afghanistan’s debut in the global mega event was competitive, but they were still far behind the Test playing countries. They lost all their five encounters against them.
Their only win came in a thriller against Scotland. After bowling out the European side for 210, Afghanistan were in dire straits at 132/8 before a resolute ninth wicket stand between Samiullah Shinwari and Hamid Hassan got them to 192. However, Shinwari’s dismissal brought Scotland back into the game. However, Hassan and Shapoor Zadran kept their cool and delivered a one-wicket win in the final over.
This remains Afghanistan’s only win at the Cricket World Cup.
(Most recent first): L L L L L L W W L L
vs Bangladesh (7 October), Dharamsala
vs India (11 October), Delhi
vs England (15 October), Delhi
vs New Zealand (18 October), Chennai
vs Pakistan (23 October), Chennai
vs Sri Lanka (30 October), Pune
vs Netherlands (3 November), Lucknow
vs Australia (7 November), Mumbai (Wankhede)
vs South Africa (10 November), Ahmedabad
vs Pakistan (23 October)
Though Pakistan have beaten Afghanistan in all seven of their previous ODI meetings, there is an added enthusiasm whenever these two sides meet. Afghanistan have shown the propensity to lift their game against Pakistan. They have produced some scintillating cricket whenever they’ve gone up against their neighbouring rivals.
The two sides have featured in a number of nail-biting contests across formats, including their last World Cup encounter, which Pakistan won by three wickets.
Final Over Thriller: Pakistan v Afghanistan | CWC 2019
Afghanistan will also be chuffed by their T20I series win against the same opponents in March 2023. Afghanistan’s top-order has shown that it is capable of handling the Pakistan attack, meanwhile their spinners can take control of the middle overs.
The overall experience of Pakistan players gives them an edge over Afghanistan. However, if the latter stick to their basics, one can expect a cracker of a contest on 23 October.
Ibrahim Zadran
For the longest time, Afghanistan’s biggest weakness has been the inability of their batters to match up to the quality of their world-class spinners. Of late, they have improved in the department, and among those leading the charge is their young gun, Ibrahim Zadran.
The 21-year-old has four ODI hundreds to his name and is closing in on a 1000 runs in the format. A big plus to his batting is his consistency. He averages 53.58 with the willow, which is the highest for any Afghanistan batter, and has delivered several stable stands along with Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Gurbaz-Zadran can set up a strong base at the top, which can be exploited by Afghanistan’s power hitters down the order. Zadran’s stable approach at the top can prove to be the gamechanger for Afghanistan in this World Cup campaign.
Despite their poor run going into the World Cup, it is tough to ignore Afghanistan’s presence in the competition. The sheer quality that they carry within their ranks can prove to be the undoing of any side in the World Cup.
Their batting has improved over the last few months. They have posted competitive totals quite regularly and have been able to challenge stronger sides. They nearly beat Pakistan after scoring 300/5 at Hambantota in August, and almost shocked Sri Lanka out of the Asia Cup in Lahore.
Since the pandemic, they've won ODI series against Ireland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. They have also drawn an ODI series against Sri Lanka.
While the pace attack is still raw, Fazalhaz Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq have shown they are fast learners. They can play a good supporting hand to the Afghan tweakers.
Highlights: Young Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq returned a fine 3/21 as Australia were restricted to 168/8.
For Afghanistan, the strongest suit in the World Cup are their spinners: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammed Nabi, and Noor Ahmad. With more than 400 ODI wickets among them, this quartet can prove to be the difference in Indian conditions. Each brings their unique style, and have managed to outfox the best of batters across the world.
To add, Rashid and Nabi’s batting capabilities are an added advantage to the side.
Overall, of all their World Cup appearances so far, Afghanistan appear to be at their strongest in 2023. They might not have the biggest of names, but if the outfit figures out the right combinations and starts gelling well early in the tournament, the Asian side can cause a few upsets in the upcoming weeks.