ICC World Cup 2019 | Afghanistan’s predicted XI for the game against New Zealand
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After two consecutive losses, Afghanistan are on the brink of getting into a “do-or-die” zone and they will put all their might to secure a win against New Zealand. While Mohammed Shahzad has been ruled out of the tournament, Noor Ali Zadran will open the innings alongside Hazratullah Zazai.
Openers
Hazratullah Zazai: The explosive opening batsman has the ability to outperform anyone on his given day but he needs to do away with the 30s conundrum. Every time he is set and looks good to play a long innings, he has thrown it away like a casual kid. In Shahzad’s absence, he will have a much bigger role to play in the team.
Noor Ali Zadran: Although Zardan batted in the middle-overs in the warm-up game, he could bat at the top of the order to replace Shahzad. He had shown a glimpse of his talent in the practice game against England and has the ability to bat but in the high-pressure game and a good bowling side, his quality will be tested to the limit.
Middle-order
Rahmat Shah: Rahmat is Afghanistan's only real ODI-quality batsman and averages 38.90 and has four ODI hundreds since the last World Cup. Yes, the problem of strike rate still exists for Shah but his ability to stay together in an innings will be crucial at the County Ground in Taunton.
Hashmatullah Shahidi: The Afghan No.4 essays the same role as Rahmat Shah with an average of 36.50, but the strike rate is the mother of all problems. He bats at a painfully slow strike rate of 66.03 and New Zealand’s bowlers - more adept at swinging the ball - may trouble him big-time. The only thing that will be a thing of solace for him is the flat wicket of Taunton.
Najibullah Zadran: Afghanistan’s one of the bright spots in the tournament so far, Zadran has been a force to be reckoned with with scores of 43 and 51. His left-hand batting despite his slight frame is a purist’s delight and his fielding makes him an invaluable member in the side.
Ikram Ali Khil: In what came as a terrible blow for Afghanistan, Mohammed Shahzad was ruled out of their campaign because of a knee injury but that can just act as an opportunity for the young Ikram Ali Khil to rise up to the occasion and do something special for the team. He was a strong performer for Afghanistan colts in last year’s U-19 World Cup and this opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time.
All-rounders
Mohammad Nabi: The Afghan all-rounder is nowhere close to his best as far as his batting is concerned but in what has come as a big solace for the Afghans that he was exceptional with the ball in the last game against Australia. If there is only one ground where a spinner will feel at home, it is Taunton and Nabi may try to exploit the hardness of the surface.
Spinners
Rashid Khan: Does anyone need to say anything about Rashid? A superstar in his own right and probably, Afghanistan’s biggest hope in carrying them over the line against the Kiwis. Rashid’s deceptive flight and the ability to drifting the ball in the air may bring some hard time for the Kiwis, who have perennial problems in countering the spinners.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman: While Rashid and Nabi have done well to put a blanket on their pacers’ performance, Rahman has failed dramatically with no real success. His high-arm action coupled with the fact that he can outfox batsmen with his variations can cause real problems for the Kiwis. The onus will be on Mujeeb to give a stead-fast approach and line and length should be maintained.
Pacers
Hamid Hassan: Streaming in with a bounding source of gathering energy, with the bandana giving him a distinct look, Hamid Hassan is a cult hero in Afghanistan. One of the pillars of Afghanistan's rise to the international level so fast, Hassan’s return has been promising as well, with the 90mph bullets are coming out pretty fast.
Gulbadin Naib: After being promoted as the skipper, Naib has shown glimpses of his fighting spirit but as I said for Shahidi and Shah, he has been bogged down by the 30s conundrum. His major role in the team - pace bowling - has also taken a serious toll and in the two matches, he failed to take any wicket. Come the game against New Zealand, Naib will be eager to prove his worth.
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