On Thursday, June 20, Afghanistan will play India in their opening Super 8 encounter of the T20 World Cup in Barbados. In their next two games, they will play Bangladesh and Australia. They had lost to the West Indies in their last group match going into this match.
Together with the United States, Afghanistan has been the tournament’s biggest murderer. Two of the tournament favourites, Pakistan and New Zealand, have been eliminated by these two teams.
Since the past World Cup, Afghanistan’s reputation as a white-ball team has improved. They astonished everyone by defeating the Kiwis in their first Twenty20 International against them after defeating teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Netherlands in the World Cup.
The team now boasts excellent pacers and batsmen and is not reliant on their spinners. Alongside the seasoned players Rashid Khan and Muhammad Nabi, two strong pacers are Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-Ul-Haq. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are two excellent openers that work well together to get runs.
In every game, they are using their best playing combination, and if they can, they would like to stick to it and defeat India. They have faced India in eight Twenty20 Internationals and have lost seven of them. They have an opportunity to alter the course of events.
Afghanistan vs India, Match 43, Super 8 ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Playing 11
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
Gurbaz is going to bat first. Having amassed over 200 runs in the competition thus far, he is the appointed opener and wicketkeeper. In terms of runs scored, he is in the lead.
Ibrahim Zadran
Gurbaz has been the ideal counterpoint to Zadran, who scores runs at a rapid pace. The squad consistently gets off to a strong start thanks to this opening connection.
Azmatullah Omarzai
Three is when Azmatullah Omarzai can fit in. The all-rounder gets the ball to swing early and has respectable bowling and batting abilities. Against Uganda, he scored 13 points out of 18.
Gulbadin Naib
At four, Gulbadin Naib Baib is capable of batting. He can bowl some respectable overs with the ball and hit the ball for a long time. He is a terrific all-around player. In the chase against PNG, he scored an undefeated 49.
Mohammad Nabi
At five, Mohammad Nabi Nabi can be accommodated. He can bat at any number since he is a skilled campaigner. He can change his speed beautifully and is very economical with the ball.
Najibullah Zadran
Zadran is able to start at six. In the order, he has batted from number three to either number seven or number eight. Another seasoned batter in the starting lineup is the southpaw.
Rashid khan (C)
At seven, Rashid is able to bat. He is a master of his craft with the ball and possesses a great deal of skill with the bat. He is Afghanistan’s second-highest wicket-taker in this World Cup with six.
Karim Janat
Another seam-bowling all-rounder is Karim Janat Janat. He can bowl at a respectable pace and adds depth to the hitting lineup. He needs eight more T20I wickets to reach 50.
Naveen-ul-Haq
One of the two pacers in the starting lineup is Naveen-Ul-Haq. Given their previous IPL and international cricket histories, he ought to face Virat Kohli.
Fazalhaq Farooqi
The speed assault will be led by left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. In the competition thus far, he has claimed 12 wickets, including a fifer. He needs one more wicket to get 50 in T20I.
Noor Ahmad
Noor completes Afghanistan’s probable starting lineup. Along with Rashid and Nabi, he is the third spinner in this Afghanistan team.
