T20 World Cup 2022: Former ACB Chief Executive Shafiq Stanikzai doesn't have much hopes from Afghanistan side

Former chief of the Afghanistan Cricket Board Shafiq Stankazie doesn’t count on Afghanistan’s chances in the T20 World Cup. In an exclusive conversation with CricTracker on Twitter Space, Shafiq mentioned that the team is currently low on confidence and it has been so since their defeat in the 2022 Asia Cup.

Despite playing well and winning both their matches in the group stage of the competition, the Mohammad Nabi-led side failed to win in any of their three matches in the super fours of the competition. Since then, the team hasn’t played any competitive games and thus, will come fresh in the mega tournament in Australia. Even so, Stanikzai is not backing the team to do well in the T20 World Cup.

The founder of Afghanistan Premier League T20 also feels that Nabi is not in his best form at the moment and it is understandable from his body language. The 37-year-old scored just 16 runs in the five matches while picking up three wickets in 17 overs in the Asia Cup. Will the out-of-form captain inspire the Blue Tigers to do well in the tournament? Stanikzai has his doubts.

He also picked Mohammed Shami as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement in the T20 World Cup. Bumrah who suffered an injury in his back will be out of action for some time. Given the conditions in Australia, Stanikzai picked Shami over Deepak Chahar (who has already been ruled out) and Mohammed Siraj, who were two other popular choices in the Twitter Space.

India will start as favourites against Pakistan: Stanikzai

Despite losing in the last T20 World Cup and in the super fours of the Asia Cup, Stanikzai believes that the Men in Blue will start as the favourites to win against Pakistan on October 23 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

India, who recently defeated Australia and South Africa in the T20I series, has played some good cricket coming to the multi-nation tournament but their problem in the death overs is still a matter of concern. Pakistan on the other hand has played well in patches but losing to England on their home turf was disappointing from their point of view. Their shambolic middle order might also bother them in the tournament.