T20 World Cup 2021: Strongest Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI against India

Afghanistan have won two of their three Super 12 matches in the T20 World Cup 2021 and are placed second in Group 2. However, their two biggest challenges will be in the last two group matches. Firstly, they will face India on November 3 in Abu Dhabi. Despite India’s poor form, Afghanistan would be aware of what Virat Kohli and Co. are capable of doing given their talent. 

Afghanistan have a good chance of qualifying for the semi-final with their good net run rate, which was boosted by the 130-run win against Scotland and the 62-run win against Namibia. But, for them to realize their dream, they will be required to win against India. 

Here is Afghanistan’s predicted Playing XI for IND vs AFG Match:

1. Openers (Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad)

Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad helped Afghanistan get a good start with the bat once again in the previous match against Namibia. Their fifty-plus stand inside the powerplay helped lay a good foundation for the team’s batting and they would be expected to get similar returns with the bat once again. Zazai ended up making 33 runs from 27 balls while Shahzad scored 45 runs from 33 balls. The duo would be desperate to take their team off to a steady start against India. 

2. Middle order (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Usman Ghani)

Asghar Afghan will not feature any further in this tournament after he announced his retirement. There are basically three candidates who can fill his spot. One is Hashmatullah Shahidi while another one is Usman Ghani, who is likely to get the nod. Shahidi is an experienced player but not in the shortest format.

Ghani is someone who has been around the T20 set-up and can hit a long-ball. The third candidate is Sharafuddin Ashraf, who has been roped in as Afghan’s replacement. Najibullah Zadran hasn’t got get a lot of runs, but he remains one of Afghanistan’s most important batters.

The left-hander can take the match away from the opposition in the middle overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz may be slotted in the middle order, behind Ghani but either way, his impact will be crucial. He got only four runs in the last game. 

3. All-rounders (Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib)

There was a certain mystery as to why Naib didn’t bowl in the first two matches, but that discussion has been settled for now. He bowled four overs against Namibia and ended with figures of 2 for 19, which would be highly satisfying for the team. His batting has been handy and Afghanistan would want him to keep delivering in whichever way possible. 

Skipper Mohammad Nabi’s bowling hasn’t been that great in the main event. He bowled only two overs in the last game but his 17-ball 32 was another batting cameo at the death which was increasingly important for his team. Karim Janat didn’t play much of a role in the previous game. He might consider himself slightly lucky if he remains in this XI for the India game. 

4. Bowlers (Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Naveen-ul-Haq)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman did miss the previous match but he is likely to be back for this game. If this move is actually done right, then we might see Hamid Hassan miss out. The right-arm seamer picked up three wickets and gave only nine runs in the previous match. Yet, Naveen-ul-Haq is likely to retain his spot as the solo specialist pacer. 

Lastly, Rashid Khan. He is someone who can contribute a lot with the bat, which is something Afghanistan may consider if they plan on playing Hassan instead of Janat. But, Rashid’s main skill, his bowling, would be required if Afghanistan have to beat India. In the last game, he took a wicket and gave 14 runs in his four overs.