T20 World Cup 2022: Match 38 - Predicted Afghanistan Playing XI vs Australia

Afghanistan is all set to take on Australia in Match 38 of the T20 World Cup 2022 and this is a must-win game for the defending champions. The hosts of the tournament are currently on the third position in the points table with five points in four games and their negative run rate might hamper their qualification with New Zealand and England in better places at the moment. The Aaron Finch-led side needs a massive win to make sure they get their heads above.  

On the other hand, the Afghanistan side are already eliminated from the tournament having lost two games. The Mohammad-Nabi led side has been unlucky with two of their fixtures getting washed out and the break hasn’t helped them by any means. They will still be looking to bow out of the tournament on a positive note and can create a bit of fuss in the group.  

Afghanistan will be looking to test their bench strength in the final league game and provide opportunity in the big stages. At least, one change is expected in the line-up which played against Sri Lanka in the previous game.

Here is the predicted playing XI for Afghanistan against Australia: 

Openers – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Usman Ghani 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been in good touch with the bat and his full potential is yet to be unleashed in the tournament. The right-hander can hit a long ball and is one of the promising youngsters for the future. He was dismissed for a 24-ball 28 in the game against Sri Lanka and he can light up the stage if he stays for long.  

Usman Ghani moved to the top of the order in the absence of Hazratullah Zazai and he did start positively. However, Afghanistan will look up to him to make a big score which will provide the impetus for the middle order to catch onto. He already has four fifties to his name in the format and will be looking to capitalise on the good form.   

Middle order – Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib 

Ibrahim Zadran has looked technically better among all the batters in the Afghanistan side and he has been keen to anchor the innings. The youngster was dismissed for a 18-ball 22 in the previous game and he will be looking to improve on his strike-rate which has been the only concern around him.  

Najibullah Zadran hasn’t got going in the two innings he has played in the tournament and he definitely needs to step up with the experience he has got. The left-hander is quite dangerous once he gets his eye in and can clear the ropes at ease. A big inning here will make a strong statement of his presence being a potential threat to the opponents.  

Gulbadin Naib was drafted into the squad after the injury to Hazratullah Zazai and he did not have much of an impact with the bat despite getting a promotion. The right-hander served as the captain of Afghanistan previously in the 2019 World Cup and he can be useful down the order to hit some lusty blows.  

All Rounders – Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan 

Mohammad Nabi is an experienced campaigner and he can be destructive in the middle-order with his fearsome hitting. The veteran batter has the finishing abilities and can bowl in any phase of the game according to the team’s needs. The skipper needs to bring his A-game if Afghanistan have to upset the hosts Australia.  

Rashid Khan is a match-winner with the ball, however, he hasn’t had the best of tournament this year. The leg-spinner has picked up three wickets in two games so far at a decent economy rate and he is yet to have a game-changing impact. He will be the bowler to watch out for against a strong Australian batting lineup.  

Bowlers – Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq 

Azmatullah Omarzai has been given the nod for his added abilities of batting, however, he is yet to make an impression in neither of the departments. The 22-year-old has the highest score of 20 and has taken just six wickets in 16 T20Is so far which doesn’t speak up for his inclusion in the XI. However, he provides the better balance to the side and he will need to pull up his socks soon.  

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has been one of the positives for Afghanistan and he has been picking up early wickets with the new ball. The mystery spinner bowled a beauty of a delivery to dismiss Pathum Nissanka in the previous encounter and Afghanistan will expect him to keep his good rhythm going against Australia.  

Fazalhaq Farooqi has bowled decently in the last two games and he started off with a maiden against Sri Lanka. The left-arm seamer has been among the wickets column and he has asked a lot of questions with the new ball. He will be looking to get the inswinger going which will be of greater use against Australia.  

Naveen-ul-Haq is likely to take the spot of Fareed Ahmad Malik who did go for runs in the previous game against Sri Lanka. The right-arm-seamer has got a decent slower one which can deceive the batters and it will be a great opportunity for him to re-establish his authority in the side.  

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