Afghanistan vs West Indies: Only Test, Preview- Rashid Khan and Co aim to continue their winning juggernaut in whites

Afghanistan will miss the service of all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who announced his retirement from Tests last month.

Published - 26 Nov 2019, 12:26 IST | Updated - 26 Nov 2019, 12:26 IST

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After getting annihilated by West Indies in the ODI series, Afghanistan redeemed themselves by clinching the subsequent T20I series. Rashid Khan and his troops will lock horns with West Indies in the longest format of the game on Wednesday. Afghanistan, a side with a blend of experience and youth, will be eager to carry their winning momentum forward.

With Rashid Khan leading the team, he will also have to steer their bowling department along with Zahir Khan. Afghanistan’s batting force will be steered by Asghar Afghan and Rahmat Shah. However, they will miss the services of all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who announced his retirement from the longer format of the game last month.

Afghanistan embarked their Test cricket journey by locking horns with India. After losing their first Test match against India, they redeemed themselves by clinching victory against Ireland. Afghanistan grabbed many eyeballs after they outclassed Bangladesh in all the departments to win the Test. They will be eager to prove their mettle in Tests. Despite being the less experienced side, Afghanistan has the potential to turn the tables in their favour.

West Indies, on the other hand, are expected to bounce back after losing the T20I series against Afghanistan. After showcasing strong performances in the ODIs, the Caribbeans were stunned by Afghanistan in the shortest format. Jason Holder and Co will be eager to showcase their wrath at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Shimron Hetmayer, Roston Chase and Shai Hope have delivered brawny performances for their side in the past. The trio will be hoping to recreate their limited-overs performance in Tests.

Team Combinations

Afghanistan

With Rashid Khan and Zahir Khan steering the spin bowling of their side, Afghanistan are expected to trouble the Caribbean batting force. Rahmat Shah and Asghar Afghan, who have a considerable amount of international experience under their belt, will be leading Afghanistan’s batting. Both players had showcased a stellar batting display in the Test match against Bangladesh. Ibrahim Zadran had grabbed many eyeballs after his stellar 87 run-knock stunned Bangladesh in Tests. The 17-year-old will be hoping to guide his side to a good start.

Playing XI: Ibrahim Zadran, Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Afsar Zazai (wk), Rashid Khan ©, Yamin Ahmadzai, Amir Hamza, Qais Ahmed, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masood.

Bench: Nasir Jamal, Javed Ahmadi, Karim Janat, Ikram Ali Khil

West Indies

The trio of Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase and Shai Hope have delivered match-winning performances for West Indies in the limited format of the game. Jomel Warrican is also expected to extract turn from the pitch. Jason Holder and Kemar Roach will be the two talismans of West Indies pace attack. The duo will be eager to serve early breakthroughs for their side.

Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Sharman Brooks, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich (wk), Jason Holder ©, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jomel Warrican, Kemar Roach

Bench: Alzarri Joseph, Sunil Ambris, Keemo Paul

Focus will be on

Roston Chase (West Indies)

Roston Chase has been in sublime touch lately and has provided his services in both the departments. The 27-year-old has gathered 244 runs in his last five matches at an average of 48.8. He will be eager to carry his prolific form in the longest format of the game. In 31 Tests, Chase has scored 1693 runs for West Indies at an average of 31.94. The right-hander has five tons and seven half-centuries in Tests under his belt.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Skipper Rashid Khan had an unpleasant experience in the ODI and T20I series as he failed to live up to his expectations. Khan will be expecting to lead the side by demolishing the West Indies batting line-up with his leg-breaks. The 21-year-old is regarded as the game-changer for his national side. Khan has scalped 131 wickets in 69 ODIs for Afghanistan at an astounding average of 18.1.