Afghanistan have transformed the way spinners are used in T20 format: Vijay Dahiya

Vijay Dahiya, a former Indian wicketkeeper-batter, on September 2, Friday, said that Afghanistan have “transformed” the way spinners are used in T20 cricket. Afghanistan, in the ongoing Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been one of the best sides with two wins in two games, courtesy of a strong bowling performance by the side.

Afghanistan also have a sublime record in 2022, winning eight wins in their last 11 T20Is, emerging as one of the best sides in the world. They are also equipped with top-class spinners such as Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who are among the top ten bowlers in the ICC T20I Bowling Rankings.

“Afghanistan have transformed the way spinners are used in T20 format,” said Dahiya via 'BatBricks7 presents Run Ki Runneeti' on CricTracker. Rashid, in the last two years, has picked up 26 wickets in 20 T20Is with an economy rate of 6.2 and best figures of four wickets for 9 runs. He also recently rose to number three in the ICC rankings, becoming the highes-ranked bowler in Asia.

Rashid surges to number three in rankings

Mujeeb also has a great record in the last couple of years in T20Is, taking 18 wickets in 11 games with an economy rate of 6.1 and best figures of five wickets for 20 runs. He also recently surged into the top ten rankings and is now placed at number nine. Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi is also one of the best in business and is currently the number-one ranked all-rounder in the format.

Nabi has scored 314 runs and picked up 13 wickets in the last two years. In the Asia Cup 2022, Mujeeb, Rashid and Nabi have all played two games each and they have picked up five, three and two wickets respectively. They will be next in action on September 3, Saturday, against Sri Lanka in the first game of Super 4. And the spin popular Afghani spin trio is expected to be at it again on a dry and rough wicket at Sharjah Cricket Ground.