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When Afghanistan certified for the 2010 T20 International Cup, it was once one of the stunning tales in international cricket of ways a war-torn country began from scratch to ascertain a crew who may just compete with the heavy-weight cricketing international locations of the sector.
Alternatively, they needed to wait till 2014 to sign up their first win within the mega tournament once they defeated Hong Kong within the crew phases. However it was once in 2016 once they made a stamp at the international map as they shocked the eventual champions, the West Indies. Everybody referred to as it an disillusioned at the moment.
Rapid ahead to Asia Cup 2022, the Afghan facet thrashed Sri Lanka and Bangladesh within the crew degree, however there have been no eyebrows raised this time. This has been the upward thrust in Afghanistan cricket within the final couple of years.
The Mohammad Nabi & Co. are not any pushovers heading into the T20 extravaganza in Australia. They’ve one of the vital best possible T20 gamers at their disposal and may give any top-ranked facet a run for his or her cash. Pakistan felt the warmth final yr within the T20 International Cup as they nearly succumbed to the Blue Tigers and this time round many groups may just face the similar.
Here’s the SWOT research of the Mohammad Nabi-led Afghanistan’s T20 International Cup 2022 squad:
Strengths:
Ambitious spin trio:
Afghanistan have of their ranks one of the vital best possible spinners going across the T20 circuit. The Afghan spin arsenal is composed of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Nabi who’ve taken a complete of over 1000 wickets within the shortest structure of the sport. Although the T20 International Cup is in Australia which is regarded as pacers’ paradise, the trio has the would possibly to carry even the docile surfaces to lifestyles.
Additionally, the trio has achieved exceedingly smartly in Australian stipulations which is clear from their numbers within the Large Bash League. Rashid has performed 61 fits and bagged 92 wickets at an financial system of 6.44, whilst Mujeeb has picked 37 wickets in as many video games within the Australian T20 league. Closing however now not the least, the Afghan skipper has taken 28 scalps in 43 outings at an financial system of seven.40.
Afghanistan have constructed their bowling technique across the world-class spinners they possess and the similar appears to be the case this time round. Mujeeb is understood to strangle opposition within the powerplay while Rashid has been the crew’s go-to bowler throughout crunch scenarios. Whilst the duo are competitive with their strains and appears for wickets, Nabi guarantees that the run fee is stored in take a look at.
The spin troika has been instrumental in making Afghanistan a powerful facet within the T20 circuit and they’re going to be entrusted to do the heavy lifting with the ball within the marquee event.
Fearless batting means:
In a fast moving T20 structure that has steadily developed with time, Afghanistan had been fast to know the significance of an competitive batting template. Taking the assault to the opposition has been on the center in their batting and they’ve gamers who’ve purchased into this ideology.
Nabi & Co. have the likes of Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz to begin the court cases for the facet and each are identified to take the assault to the opposition. On their day, even top-quality bowling line-ups can also be put beneath the pump. Their go-big or go-home batting means is clear from their scoring fee. Zazai moves at 138.92 in T20Is whilst Gurbaz in 32 T20 video games for his nationwide facet has a strike fee of 138.46.
Afghanistan even have Najibullah Zadran who’s a ferocious striker of the cricket ball and has proven his power-hitting prowess over and over. In his 83 T20Is, he has gathered 1559 runs at a excellent strike fee of 142.89. If the Blue Tigers must emerge as a drive to be reckoned with within the T20 International Cup, the ability hitters want to be at their best possible.
Weaknesses:
Green tempo assault:
Afghanistan have come into the T20 extravaganza with an overly green tempo assault. Naveen-ul-Haq has performed probably the most T20Is amongst their rapid bowlers which is solely 21 adopted via Fareed Ahmad Malik with 20 T20Is beneath their belt.
Coming to Fazalhaq Farooqi, the left-arm pacer inspired with the ball on the Asia Cup 2022 bagging six wickets in 5 video games and shall be main the tempo assault. However he’s reasonably new to the global circuit and has performed 14 T20 video games for his nationwide facet.
Additionally, not one of the seamers have any type of enjoy taking part in in Australia. Although the pacers have proven numerous promise, they’re going to have their process reduce out to ship the products towards some top-quality batting aspects in a high-voltage festival.
Loss of familiarity with Australian stipulations:
Although Afghanistan cricket has risen from the useless and turn out to be a powerful drive, they’re but to play a T20I recreation in Australia. And this issue may just turn out to be an Achilles Heel and pose a significant risk to the International Cup hopes of the Blue Tigers.
The T20 International Cup shall be performed at a complete of 7 venues and every flooring has its personal tempo and soar and there’ll other sorts of demanding situations at every of the venues. With Nabi & Co. lovely skinny at the enjoy of taking part in in Australia, it will turn out to be a frightening process to flourish within the stipulations.
Alternatives:
Golden likelihood to show the tide:
Afghanistan cricket has risen and risen within the final decade or so. They’ve been somewhat aggressive and posed a tricky problem to the top-ranked cricketing international locations. From taking part in the International Cup qualifiers to being within the height 8 groups and having earned a right away access on the T20 extravaganza, they’ve indubitably come far.
However in spite of being a tricky opponent, the Blue Tigers have now not been granted many alternatives. They’ve now not performed a lot towards the nations which might be a part of the higher echelons of cricketing circles. Sure, cricket mavens and commentators have said repeatedly concerning the want to give them extra possibilities however in terms of strolling the controversy nobody has come ahead.
And Afghanistan now not having performed even a unmarried T20I towards Australia is a testomony to that. However the tides may just flip and the T20 carnival can be a motive force of that vary.
If Nabi & Co. who’ve up until now did not pass the crowd phases in marquee tournaments, can surpass the preliminary hurdle and threaten to head the entire approach then the entire cricketing fraternity will take realize. And they’re going to turn out will as soon as and for all that they belong to the extent.
Threats:
Falter in crunch scenarios:
Sure, Afghanistan’s stature in cricketing circles has grown leaps and limits, and they’ve been respiring down the neck of the top-ranked groups of past due. However, there were instances when they’ve come shut however have fallen agonizingly quick.
Whether or not it was once the 2019 International Cup fit towards India or the 2021 T20 International Cup recreation towards Pakistan final yr or the not too long ago culminated Asia Cup fit towards Pakistan, they’ve did not ship throughout the crunch moments within the multi-nation tournaments time and time once more.
It does appear that succumbing beneath searing force has began changing into their addiction. And this shall be an enormous risk for Nabi & Co. heading into the worldwide event. They’ve been knocked out of ICC tournaments prior to now because of their lack of ability to carry their nerves and may just endure the similar destiny if they don’t alternate this development.
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