Afghanistan vs West Indies, 1st T20I: Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Can the West Indies end its losing streak in T20Is?

Published - 13 Nov 2019, 19:54 IST | Updated - 13 Nov 2019, 19:54 IST

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It is time for the shortest format of the game as Afghanistan gears up to face West Indies for the three-match T20I series. In the build-up to the T20 World Cup next year, these games are extremely important for both these sides. These teams have got new captains at the helm and it is time for them to sort their combinations out as well.

Afghanistan, however, has got an additional pressure going into this series as they will like to brush aside the bruises of the past. Just a few days ago, the hosts were clean swept by the same opposition in the T20I series. The West Indies completely outplayed the opposition and thus managed to register their first ODI series win in more than five years. Yet, it is time to start afresh as this is a different format and Afghanistan is a great competitor in the same. Possibly, it would be just to say that it is their best format – particularly in the subcontinent.

West Indies lost six T20I games in a row now. It is a format that they hold so dear and they would clearly be dissatisfied with the recent results. While it is obvious that they’d look to turn things around, Afghanistan will want to do the same after having lost its last two games in the format.

Pitch and Conditions

While the track underneath has been a sporting one, the external factors could have a say in Lucknow. With the onset of winters in North India, dew is something that is inevitable. Thus, the bowlers could struggle and the team that wins the toss would want to bowl first. Humidity levels will be extremely high in the night and the air quality levels are also not very encouraging.

Team Combinations

Afghanistan

Afghanistan will open the innings with Hazratullah Zazai and Javed Ahmadi. Rahmanullah Gurbaz will keep wickets. The team has got a good amount of kept in its batting. Also, they have got the troika of spinners who can be quite dangerous in this format while playing in the subcontinent. The batsmen will have to be more aggressive and should fancy putting big totals on the board. The management will have to make a choice between Naveen Ul Haq and Sayed Shirzad.

Predicted XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Naveen Ul Haq/Sayed Shirzad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

West Indies

Nicholas Pooran’s suspension will make way for Denesh Ramdin in the playing eleven. Brandon King, in all possibility, will make his debut in Lucknow. The youngster has been terrific around the domestic circuit and in the CPL and will be looking a make a mark. After more than two years, Lendl Simmons is also expected to make a come back into the team. Fabian Allen could be benched and the West Indies might go ahead with Hayden Walsh.

Predicted XI: Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Kesrick Williams.