T20 World Cup 2022: SWOT analysis of Afghanistan squad

When Afghanistan qualified for the 2010 T20 World Cup, it was one of the most beautiful stories in world cricket of how a war-torn nation started from scratch to establish a team who could compete with the heavy-weight cricketing nations of the world.

However, they had to wait until 2014 to register their first win in the mega event when they defeated Hong Kong in the group stages. But it was in 2016 when they made a stamp on the world map as they stunned the eventual champions, the West Indies. Everyone called it an upset at that time. 

Fast forward to Asia Cup 2022, the Afghan side thrashed Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the group stage, but there were no eyebrows raised this time. This has been the rise in Afghanistan cricket in the last couple of years.

The Mohammad Nabi & Co. are no pushovers heading into the T20 extravaganza in Australia. They have some of the best T20 players at their disposal and can give any top-ranked side a run for their money. Pakistan felt the heat last year in the T20 World Cup as they almost succumbed to the Blue Tigers and this time around many teams could face the same.

Here is the SWOT analysis of the Mohammad Nabi-led Afghanistan's T20 World Cup 2022 squad:

Strengths:

Formidable spin trio:

Afghanistan have in their ranks some of the best spinners going around the T20 circuit. The Afghan spin arsenal consists of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Nabi who have taken a total of over 1000 wickets in the shortest format of the game. Though the T20 World Cup is in Australia which is considered pacers' paradise, the trio has the might to bring even the docile surfaces to life.

Moreover, the trio has done exceedingly well in Australian conditions which is evident from their numbers in the Big Bash League. Rashid has played 61 matches and bagged 92 wickets at an economy of 6.44, while Mujeeb has picked 37 wickets in as many games in the Australian T20 league. Last but not the least, the Afghan skipper has taken 28 scalps in 43 outings at an economy of 7.40.

Afghanistan have built their bowling strategy around the world-class spinners they possess and the same seems to be the case this time around. Mujeeb is known to strangle opposition in the powerplay whereas Rashid has been the team’s go-to bowler during crunch situations. While the duo are aggressive with their lines and looks for wickets, Nabi ensures that the run rate is kept in check.

The spin troika has been instrumental in making Afghanistan a formidable side in the T20 circuit and they will be entrusted to do the heavy lifting with the ball in the marquee tournament.

Fearless batting approach:

In a fast-paced T20 format that has continuously evolved with time, Afghanistan have been quick to understand the importance of an aggressive batting template. Taking the attack to the opposition has been at the heart of their batting and they have players who have bought into this ideology.

Nabi & Co. have the likes of Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to start the proceedings for the side and both are known to take the attack to the opposition. On their day, even top-quality bowling line-ups can be put under the pump. Their go-big or go-home batting approach is evident from their scoring rate. Zazai strikes at 138.92 in T20Is while Gurbaz in 32 T20 games for his national side has a strike rate of 138.46.

Afghanistan also have Najibullah Zadran who is a ferocious striker of the cricket ball and has shown his power-hitting prowess time and again. In his 83 T20Is, he has amassed 1559 runs at a superb strike rate of 142.89. If the Blue Tigers have to emerge as a force to be reckoned with in the T20 World Cup, the power hitters need to be at their best.

Weaknesses:

Inexperienced pace attack:

Afghanistan have come into the T20 extravaganza with a very inexperienced pace attack. Naveen-ul-Haq has played the most T20Is among their fast bowlers which is just 21 followed by Fareed Ahmad Malik with 20 T20Is under their belt.

Coming to Fazalhaq Farooqi, the left-arm pacer impressed with the ball at the Asia Cup 2022 bagging six wickets in five games and will be leading the pace attack. But he is fairly new to the international circuit and has played 14 T20 games for his national side.

Moreover, none of the seamers have any sort of experience playing in Australia. Though the pacers have shown a lot of promise, they will have their task cut out to deliver the goods against some top-quality batting sides in a high-voltage competition.

Lack of familiarity with Australian conditions:

Though Afghanistan cricket has risen from the dead and become a formidable force, they are yet to play a T20I game in Australia. And this factor could prove to be an Achilles Heel and pose a major threat to the World Cup hopes of the Blue Tigers.

The T20 World Cup will be played at a total of seven venues and each ground has its own pace and bounce and there will different kinds of challenges at each of the venues. With Nabi & Co. pretty thin on the experience of playing in Australia, it could prove to be a daunting task to flourish in the conditions. 

Opportunities:

Golden chance to turn the tide:

Afghanistan cricket has risen and risen in the last decade or so. They have been quite competitive and posed a tough challenge to the top-ranked cricketing nations. From playing the World Cup qualifiers to being in the top eight teams and having earned a direct entry at the T20 extravaganza, they have certainly come a long way.

But despite being a tough opponent, the Blue Tigers have not been granted many opportunities. They have not played much against the countries that are part of the upper echelons of cricketing circles. Yes, cricket experts and commentators have stated many times about the need to give them more chances but when it comes to walking the talk no one has come forward.

And Afghanistan not having played even a single T20I against Australia is a testament to that. But the tides could turn and the T20 carnival could be a driver of that change. 

If Nabi & Co. who have up till now failed to cross the group stages in marquee tournaments, can surpass the initial hurdle and threaten to go all the way then the whole cricketing fraternity will take notice. And they will prove will once and for all that they belong to the level.

Threats:

Falter in crunch situations:

Yes, Afghanistan’s stature in cricketing circles has grown leaps and bounds, and they have been breathing down the neck of the top-ranked teams of late. But, there have been times when they have come close but have fallen agonizingly short.

Whether it was the 2019 World Cup match against India or the 2021 T20 World Cup game against Pakistan last year or the recently culminated Asia Cup match against Pakistan, they have failed to deliver during the crunch moments in the multi-nation tournaments time and time again.

It does seem that succumbing under searing pressure has started becoming their habit. And this will be a huge danger for Nabi & Co. heading into the global tournament. They have been knocked out of ICC tournaments in the past due to their inability to hold their nerves and could suffer the same fate if they do not change this pattern.