Afghanistan v West Indies, 3rd T20I, Lucknow – Preview, likely XIs, prediction

Finally, after losing 3 ODIs and a T20I, Afghanistan managed to pull one back at Lucknow to level the T20I series against West Indies 1-1. West Indies, all at sea against a target of 148 on a slightly slow pitch, never got going. They crawled to 69/6 in the 15th over before somehow managing to reach 106/8.

Karim Janat, who had taken just 18 wickets from 19 T20Is before Saturday, wrecked West Indies with a spell of 4-0-11-5. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman – their three spinners – rendered much-needed support as the Afghans tightened the noose with every passing over.

To be fair, the West Indian seamers – Kesrick Williams, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul – did their bit as well to restrict the target to a chaseable range.

However, on a pitch where the ball does not come on to the bat easily, power hitters may play a role in using brute strength. The top orders are more or less equally matched here, but with Nabi at seven and Gulbadin Naib at eight, Afghanistan probably have more depth.

In other words, Afghanistan probably hold an edge, but only a slight one, no more.

Head to head

Afghanistan had won the first match between the sides, in the 2016 World T20. West Indies then won 4 consecutive matches before Afghanistan pulled one back here, making the equation 4-2 in West Indies’ favour.

Key players

Karim Janat (Afghanistan): A lot will be expected of Janat, who is coming off a performance of a lifetime (26 in 18 balls, 4-0-11-5). He will play a pivotal role, both at one-drop and as a change bowler in the middle overs.

Kesrick Williams (West Indies): With figures of 8-0-40-6, Williams has been West Indies’ MVP for the series. Another similar performance will help him cement a place in the West Indian side.

Likely XIs

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Karim Janat, Asghar Afghan, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

West Indies: Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Kieron Pollard (c), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Hayden Walsh Jr, Kesrick Williams, Sheldon Cottrell.

Prediction

Afghanistan are favourites, but only just.