Afghanistan v West Indies, 1st ODI, Lucknow – Preview, likely XIs, prediction

The last time these two teams played an ODI, it was during the World Cup, a tournament both sides won’t have fond memories of. They propped up the table, with Afghanistan going win-less in nine matches, and West Indies suffering six defeats in their nine.

One of West Indies’ victories, of course, was against Afghanistan. Everything good about the Windies was on display in that match in Leeds, when they posted 311/6, with half-centuries from Evin Lewis, Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran. Rahmat Shah and Ikram Ali Khil put up a strong fight, but a middle and lower order collapse meant Afghanistan were shot out for 288.

Since then, there’s been quite a few changes for both sides. Afghanistan will be led by Rashid Khan, for starters. The team have already looked good under his captaincy – they won their maiden overseas Test victory against Bangladesh earlier this year – and will also have a new coach in Lance Klusener.

West Indies too will be under new-ish management. Phil Simmons will have his first assignment as coach of West Indies, have retaken charge of the side he led to the World T20 title in 2016. He will have a host of new players to work with too, with West Indies naming players that impressed in CPL 2019 in their squad, including Hayden Walsh and Brandon King.

It’s the start (sort of) of new eras, basically. There will be hope and optimism on both sides, but for the side that loses the first ODI, it can all quickly turn into a disaster.

Head to head

Afghanistan and West Indies have played six ODIs so far. Suffice to say the rivalry has been even. West Indies have won two. Afghanistan three. And there’s been one no-result. West Indies won their last encounter at the World Cup, but there were two consecutive losses before that.

Key players

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): The ‘home’ captain has been good for the side, on recent evidence, and has shunned old doubts regarding his captaincy. As Afghanistan hope to put West Indies on a trial by spin, the captain’s performance will be ever more crucial, given the simple reason he is their foremost proponent of that skill.

Hayden Walsh Jr (West Indies): Having taken 22 wickets during the CPL 2019, it wasn’t too surprising that West Indies decided to snap him up. He was supreme in that tournament, but his last ODI was for the USA – things are done differently at the elite level. The question is, can he cope?

Likely XIs

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Naveen-ul-Haq, Yamin Ahmadzai

West Indies: Evin Lewis, Shai Hope (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran Roston Chase, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Sheldon Cottrell, Khary Pierre, 11 Hayden Walsh Jr

Prediction

Afghanistan have been good in India. It’s their home away from home, and they know how it works. They’ll win this riding on their spinners.E