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Afghanistan would possibly already be one of the well-liked selections globally for cricket followers’ second-favourite worldwide crew, however once they take the sphere on Sunday, they’re going to have extra supporters rooting for them than ever earlier than. Twitter is already filled with India followers with Afghanistan flags subsequent to their usernames. R Ashwin has already joked about India providing the providers of their physiotherapist to velocity up Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s restoration from the damage that is saved him out of Afghanistan’s final two video games.
But there’s much more to this sport than the India subplot.
New Zealand and Afghanistan are each nonetheless within the semi-finals race. New Zealand have the less complicated job – win they usually’re by, it doesn’t matter what India do later in opposition to Namibia. And in the event that they do undergo, they’re going to be on the right track to full a massively spectacular set of all-formats leads to ICC tournaments – they had been ODI World Cup runners-up in 2019, they usually clinched the World Test Championship mace earlier this yr.
An Afghanistan win is likelier to ship India into the semis than themselves, however given how unbelievable their journey has been in getting as far as they’ve as a cricketing drive, why would you rule out one other unbelievable twist? They actually have the firepower, with the bat and extra so with the ball, to make that occur – significantly if Mujeeb is match.
But irrespective of how far they go on this event, Afghanistan’s gamers will depart the T20 World Cup bubble – a refuge that’s, for them, greater than merely bio-secure – and return to realities that the majority of their counterparts from different nations would scarcely comprehend. These are massively unsure instances for this good group of gamers, so whether or not you are an Afghanistan fan, an India fan, or anybody else, be certain to want them effectively.
Form information
Afghanistan LWLWW (final 5 accomplished T20Is, most up-to-date first)
New Zealand WWWLW
In the highlight
When he hits it proper out of the screws – that whipped six off Jasprit Bumrah, for instance – he appears like one of the harmful powerplay hitters on this planet, however Hazratullah Zazai has solely lit up this event in short spurts up to now, as a strike price of solely 116.88 – his profession strike price is 148.64 – would counsel. Three of the 4 highest totals of this event have come at Abu Dhabi, so if there are runs to be had on Sunday, Zazai might select no higher time to unleash his full repertoire.
Trent Boult has taken eight wickets on this World Cup already, however opposite to expectations, solely two have come within the powerplay. Abu Dhabi can supply a little bit of early help to the seamers, although, and if Boult can get the brand new ball swinging, he most likely presents New Zealand their quickest and best route to victory.
Team information
It’s unclear but if Mujeeb is match to play, but when he’s, he is doubtless to take the place of the left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, who was costly in opposition to India on the identical floor.
Afghanistan (possible): 1 Hazratullah Zazai, 2 Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 3 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 4 Gulbadin Naib, 5 Najibullah Zadran, 6 Mohammad Nabi (capt), 7 Karim Janat, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Sharafuddin Ashraf/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Hamid Hassan.
A stinging straight hit from David Wiese struck Ish Sodhi on the top throughout New Zealand’s final match in opposition to Namibia, however the legspinner has handed a concussion check and is obtainable for choice on Sunday.
New Zealand (possible): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Daryl Mitchell, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Devon Conway (wk), 5 Glenn Phillips, 6 James Neesham, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Adam Milne, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Ish Sodhi, 11 Trent Boult.
Pitch and circumstances
Stats and trivia
Quotes
“They’re spearheaded by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb [Ur Rahman] is phenomenal as well and Mohammad Nabi is a very cagey offspinner through the powerplay too. That’s definitely where the threat lies with their bowling attack and I’m sure all our batsmen during our scouting meeting have taken that into consideration.”
Ish Sodhi and New Zealand are totally conscious of Afghanistan’s spin menace
“We only focus on ourselves, our team. Our main focus is how we qualify for the semi-finals, so we will go with that, and our focus is only on us, so we will try our best to qualify for the semi-finals.”
Afghanistan batter Hashmatullah Shahidi says his crew will not be distracted by the India subplot
Karthik Krishnaswamy is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
