Sco v Afg 2nd ODI Preview: Rain threatens once more as both teams lock horns

The first Scotland v Afghanistan ODI was washed out. The players from both sides will certainly be hoping that rain does not play another part as they lock horns in the second ODI. Rahmat Khan, the Afghan youngster who made his debut in the first ODI will be raring to go following his century. As for the Scots, Richie Berrington and Kyle Coetzer will be hoping to get the monkeys off their back to go on and complete 1000 runs in ODI cricket.

Pitch Conditions:

In spite of the rain, the wicket at the Grange Cricket Club is expected to be the same. However, the major aspect will be the threat of rain yet again. The weather forecasts go on to suggest that thundershowers can be expected. That said, the fact that we could have a match on our hands should excite those who do eventually make it down to the Grange Cricket Club for an afternoon of cricket.

Team Analysis

Afghanistan

The first match was washed out but Afghanistan side and their newly-appointed coach Lalchand Rajput would certainly be pleased with the team’s batting display. Rahmat Shah, the debutante on the day went on to score a magnificent century. However, rain made a divine intervention as Shah’s momentum was taken away.

However, going into the second ODI, the Afghans will certainly be looking to make an impact. There are expected to be little or no changes as the squad begins to prepare for the following game. Teenage leg-spinner Rashid Khan will certainly have a sliver of the spotlight as he aims to make an impact.

Scotland

Although the Scots have been decent in ODIs against their fellow associates, their opponents seem to be taking their cricket to a whole new level. With the newer generation of players beginning to take center stage in the form of Richie Berrington and Alasdair Evans. It is certainly an exciting time for Scotland cricket at the moment.

However, unlike their opponents, Scotland have to be content with the limited amount of international cricketing exposure they are having at the moment. However, instead of whining about it, Preston Mommsen and his band of merry men will certainly have to stamp their authority in the upcoming encounter should they be considered in the upcoming plans of the ICC.

Probable XI-

Afghanistan: 

Asghar Satnikzai (C), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, Dawlat Zadran, Rashid Khan, Hamid Hassan

Scotland:

Preston Mommsen (C), Matthew Cross (wk), Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, Con de Lange, Michael Leask, Safyaan Sharif, Ruaidhri Smith, Alasdair Evans, Brad Wheal

StAttack

1. Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 100 against Scotland in Edinburgh saw him become the first Afghanistan player to score a ton on his ODI debut.

2. Richie Berrington and Kyle Coetzer require 32 and 23 runs respectively to complete 1000 runs in ODI cricket.

3. In 15 matches at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh, the first ODI was the fifth match that was concluded with no result.

4. Rahmat Shah became only the fifth player to smash a century at this venue courtesy of his century in the first ODI.