Cricket World Cup 2019: Afghanistan preview, likely starting XI: No longer minnows, but will inadequate build-up cost them?

When Afghanistan beat Scotland for their maiden World Cup victory in 2015, the scenes were of unabashed joy. It was their only victory in the tournament, but the campaign was considered a success – Afghanistan were hailed for coming a long way in a short time.

Four years on, expectations on them have increased. They’re no longer expected to just get a victory, they are expected to topple a few of the traditional big sides. They’re no longer minnows. They are a legitimate force, possessing experienced campaigners and a couple of world beaters.

However, there is talk, in the lead up to the tournament, about whether they shot themselves in the foot. The Afghanistan Cricket Board decided in early April, a little over a month removed from the World Cup, to introduce splint captaincy. Asghar Afghan was removed as skipper and Gulbadin Naib was instated in his place.

The change didn’t go down well, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi tweeting their disapproval shortly after the announcement was made public. However, not much has been heard since then. The message coming out of the camp has been one of harmony, with the management keen to smooth things over.

The thing is, Naib hasn’t had much practice as captain. And in his second outing, against Ireland, Afghanistan suffered a 72-run loss. Afghanistan also haven’t had much chance to fine-tune their squad, given a proposed series against Zimbabwe broke down, and there is significant rain threat in their four clashes in Scotland and Ireland.

Afghanistan are still expected to have a stellar tournament – they possess a well-rounded squad in all, and can trouble the best of the lot. The question is can they live up to these expectations?

Players to watch

Gulbadin Naib: How the 28-year-old performs will go a long way in dictating how the tournament goes for Afghanistan. He has been thrusted with captaincy of a vibrant side, even as his predecessor remains in the squad. It’s a tricky situation, to say the least. How he handles it all will be crucial for Afghanistan – they need him to bring the squad together, get that all-important opening victory, and set a good precedent. If not, it can all go very wrong very quickly.  

Rashid Khan: One of the most lethal bowlers in the limited-overs game, Rashid is the big reason Afghanistan can succeed. His role will be crucial. How Naib uses him remains to be seen, but unleash him on the opposition, and more often than not, there will be wickets. He can also build pressure by constraining them in the Powerplays. He is Afghanistan’s one big hope.

Hazratullah Zazai: The wild-hitting opener has played just eight ODIs so far, but his powers were there for all to see in his six T20Is so far – a century and two half-centuries. He is just 21, but Afghanistan have taken a chance with him. If he can get a few big hits going, expect some big totals on submissive England pitches.  

Squad: Gulbadin Naib (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Likely XI: Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Zahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib (c), Rashid Khan, Dwalat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Prediction

No.10. Afghanistan will threaten a lot of sides, but their build-up wasn’t adequate. That might hinder them in the long-run.