Afghanistan Team. (Photo Source: ICC)
The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup in West Indies and United States of America has thrown a lot of surprises. One cannot term the ascent of Afghanistan cricket as a surprise considering that they have become one of the most dangerous teams in the world.
With three wins from their first three matches, Afghanistan were on cloud nine. Their 84-run win over New Zealand knocked the stuffings out of Kane Williamson’s side who were eventually knocked out from the race for the Super-8’s. But their loss to West Indies showed that Afghanistan still can bust when under pressure.
The game against India will be a huge test for Afghanistan as they face a bonafide title challenger. Afghanistan players know the quality the Indians bring to the table with their interactions during the IPL. If the Afghans have to make it to the semis they will have to beat India to show their rising stature in the world of cricket.
Here is the predicted Afghanistan XI vs India
Openers- Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan will hope that their opening batters can put the Indian team on the backfoot. Both Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have been a constant threat to the new-ball bowlers with their aggressive batting. Gurbaz, in particular, has a good understanding of the Indian bowling, having played them during the IPL.
Middle-order – Najibullah Zadran
The Indian team will look to target Najibullah Zadran, who hasn’t been in the greatest of forms with the bat. The veteran batter has been struggling for form in the last few matches and his lack of runs could cost the Afghanistan side dear. But Zadran has experience of over 100 plus matches and he will look to bring it to the table in they key game on Thursday in Barbados.
All-rounders – Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, and Rashid Khan
The Afghanistan side is blessed to have five players with the ability to bowl and bat well. Azmatullah Omarzai had a day to forget against West Indies but he was at his best with the bat and ball in the earlier matches. Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi are two of the most experienced stars in the side who can change the course of the game in an instant.
Karim Janat’s performances in franchise cricket speaks for itself. And there is no introduction needed as far as Rashid Khan is concerned. The Afghan skipper is a total package with his wicket-taking skills and dangerous batting towards the end of the innings.
Bowlers – Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naveen-ul-Haq
In Noor Ahmad, the Afghans have a bowler who has the needed variations that can outfox any batter. The left-arm wrist spinner has had a quiet time with the ball so far but his talents have proved that he is a match-winner in his own right. The new-ball pair of Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq has been picking wickets at regular intervals and making the ball talk with excellent control.
Afghanistan’s Predicted XI vs India
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
