Sharjah: The Afghanistan cricket team will look to bring some joy to their people going through a turbulent time at home by starting their T20 World Cup campaign against a spirited Scotland here on Sunday. Afghanistan once again finds itself in turmoil after the country was taken over by the Taliban in August. The cricketers could not get much practice due to home conditions and there was controversy over the selection of the team as star spinner Rashid Khan stepped down soon after the squad was announced. Few changes were made at the last minute and veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is back to lead the side. Despite their controversial build-up, Afghanistan have shown what they are capable of in the two-warm-up that they played in the lead-up to the tournament. They lost to South Africa before completing their preparations with a win over defending champions West Indies.
t20 world cup full coverage | the schedule | photos | Mark sheet | Most wickets | most runs
Afghanistan have built up the reputation of a top bowling side over the years and if their batsmen are able to fire consistently in the tournament, they can beat any side on any given day. A lot will depend on openers Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad in the batting department, with Najibullah Zadran and skipper Nabi expected to get quick runs in the middle and death overs. The spin trio of Rashid, Nabi and Mujeeb Zadran can trouble the best of batsmen and given the slow and low nature of Sharjah’s pitch in the IPL, they should enjoy bowling on the surface set for World Cup games.
Their opponents, Scotland, are high in confidence after winning all their matches in the first round, including a famous victory over Bangladesh. Scotland showed their character against number six Bangladesh as they came from an almost hopeless position to stun their experienced opponents. Bradley Wheele and Josh Davey have been an impressive new-ball pair while left-arm spinner Mark Watt has been dominant in the middle overs. Watt made it abundantly clear after the win against Oman that Scotland were going into the Super 12 with the aim of making some upsets.
“I think we’re going to have some trouble. I don’t see why. We’ve done it before. We beat the best ODI team in the world (England), we beat Bangladesh right there. I think we We are in really good form.” The teams will not take us lightly. Yes, they should be worried about Scotland. We are in great form and we have got a lot of momentum going forward, so yes.”
ALSO READ: ‘I’m delighted for Big T’-Captain Morgan Louds T20 specialist Tymal Mills
After Sunday, Watt is also set to take on the likes of Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson later in the competition. “I have a lot of plans for Virat. I’m going to keep them quiet at the moment, but I think they should be worried,” he said with a smile.
What: Afghanistan vs Scotland, Match 17
When: October 25, Monday
where: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Time: 7:30 PM IS
Teams: Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Ghani, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi (Captain), Najibullah Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Shahzad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen-ul-Haq, Hamid Hassan , Fareed Ahmed.
Kyle Coetzer (captain), Richie Berrington, Dylan Buzz, Matthew Cross, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Chris Greaves, Michael Leask, Callum McLeod, George Muncy, Safyan Sharif, Hamza Tahir, Craig Wallace, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheel.
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
.