Afghanistan v West Indies, 2nd ODI, Lucknow – Preview, likely XIs, prediction

Heading into the second ODI between Afghanistan and West Indies in Lucknow on Saturday, November 9, it’s the Asian side that is feeling a bit hot under the collar. They were expected to tangle West Indies with their spinners, but the men from the Caribbean possessed too much power and experience for Afghanistan, all of which was evident in the first ODI on Wednesday.

West Indies won the toss in the first ODI and asked Afghanistan to bat. Their bowlers then ensured not many of the ‘home’ batsmen got away, dismissing all but four of the batsmen for single-digit scores. The resilience came from Rahmat Shah and Ikram Ali Khil, both of whom scored half-centuries. There was also a gritty knock of 35 off 52 balls from former captain Asghar Afghan. Unfortunately, all of those efforts combined helped them to just 194.

Shai Hope and Roston Chase, with all the time in the world, assuredly scored half-centuries to help West Indies ease to the target with 21 balls to spare. To make matters worse, there was little evidence of spin troubling West Indies too. Mujeeb Ur Rahman did well to take two wickets for 33, but the rest of the spinners, including captain Rashid Khan and veteran Mohammad Nabi, went wicket less in their 10 overs.

But without much scoreboard pressure, the West Indies batsmen could knock the singles about and negate the spinners. What Afghanistan need in the next ODI is for support from the batsmen. They need to post big totals, especially when asked to bat first, and only then can the spinners make the pressure really tell on West Indies.

Whether that can happen remains to be seen.

Head to head

Afghanistan and West Indies have played seven ODIs so far. With West Indies’ victory in the first ODI, both sides have won three matches each, with one match being abandoned. It’s neck and neck.

Key players

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan): While a lot of accolades when it comes to Afghanistan spinners go to Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, Mujeen always does the job when asked to, quietly. He will once again be key in the second ODI, and the West Indies batsmen will have made note.

Shai Hope (West Indies): Hope is a crucial player for West Indies. His gritty side was on display in the first ODI, crawling to a half-century, but he can just as well trounce the bowlers left, right and centre. Circumstances will dictate whether that side of him will be on display come Saturday, but the fact that he’s amongst the runs will bolster West Indies.

Likely XIs

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

West Indies: Shai Hope (wk), Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard (c)¸ Jason Holder, Sheldon Cottrell, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr, Alzarri Joseph

Prediction

West Indies were very impressive in the first ODI. Expect them to double their advantage.E