WI v Afg World T20 Preview: Afghanistan aim for a morale boosting victory

The unbeaten West Indies team taking on the determined Afghanistan team at the Vidarbha Cricket Association, Nagpur will be an interesting affair. The Caribbean Kings have won all their previous fixtures and have smoothly cruised to the semi-final while on the other hand Afghanistan team will be finding their first victory of the mega event. There have been very impressive but have unfortunately been denied of any single win so far.

The contest, for obvious reasons, looks in favor of West Indies considering their current form. But, Afghanistan, too have been outstanding and can pull off a surprise win if everything falls in place for them. This will be their last chance to win a World t20 game in this edition.

West Indies:

West Indies team looks outstanding at present. Chris Gayle started the tournament with a bang but hasn’t done nay thing significant in the next two. But, he can explode anytime when facing the Afghan bowling attack. The rest of the batting top order comprising of Johnston Charles, Andre Fletcher and Marlon Samuel have all been scoring runs. In short, the top order looks little inconsistent, but together as a unit they have managed sail their team to victory. The bowling department has been very consistent comparatively. Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell have very productive as all-rounders in the team. Samuel Badree has been their main weapon on the turning wickets in India, whereas, Sulieman Benn has played his perfect partner in crime. Skipper Darren Sammy is not having a satisfying tournament. But, that should not be a concern until the team is performing.

Afghanistan:

Afghanistan has had their good moments in the tournament so far. They have won hearts but have failed to win any single game. Mohammad Shahzad has been their star with the bat and the team would expect another blitz from him. It was because of him that South Africa received a fright while defending 210 few days back. Opener Noor Ali Zadran must try to play a meaningful innings. Captain Asghar Stanikzai, after a half-century in the opening game of the Super 10 stage against Sri Lanka, has been very quiet with the bat. Mohammad Nabi has been very good with the ball but should try to contribute more in the middle order. The Afghans have been largely dependent on the spinners. Young gun Rashid Khan has been the most impressive. The leg break-googly bowler has snapped up 10 wickets in 7 games and has proved to a highly effective T20 bowler. Leg spinner Samiullah Shenwari and Amir Hamza have also been equally amazing. Either of Dawlat Zadran or Shapoor Zadran can fill in the seam bowler’s slot.

Probable XI:

West Indies: 

Johnston Charles, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Andre Fletcher, Denesh Ramdin (Wk), Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn

Afghanistan:  Mohammad Shahzad (Wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Asghar Stanikzai (C), Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran/Dawlat Zadran

Stats:

1. Mohammad Nabi has taken 45 wickets and needs 5 more to reach the 50 wickets milestone.
2. Both teams have not played against each other before.