Deadline: November 6, 2019 at 6 PM IST
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Pitch Report
Thus far only one international match has been hosted at the venue. India thrashed West Indies by 71 runs in a T20I, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 111* off 66.
Although the conditions are conducive for batting, the pitch is likely to assist spinners.
Teams
Probable XI for Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Asghar Afghan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Karin Janat
Probable XI for West Indies: Evin Lewis, Sunil Ambris/Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Keemo Paul/Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Khary Pierre
Fantasy Team
We have opted for a fantasy team on the basis of players’ impact, recent performances, and credit points.
You can also check players’ performances in the last 5 matches. Tap on the players’ images to get the data while making your fantasy team.
Note: You can now select 1-4 wicketkeepers, 1-6 batsmen, 1-6 all-rounders, 1-6 bowlers.
Wicketkeepers: Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope
Batsmen: Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Najibullah Zadran
All-rounders: Keiron Pollard (vc), Mohammad Nabi, Rahmat Shah
Bowlers: Sheldon Cottrell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan (c)
Preview
Afghanistan had a terrible time in the 2019 World Cup, losing all 9 matches. It turned out that replacing Asghar Afghan with Gulbadin Naib as the captain disturbed the harmony of the team, that they could not play well as a cohesive unit. Naib did perform well with both bat and ball, but his decision-making did not go well with the team. The selectors, therefore, removed him from the helm as well and now have put the onus on the ever-improving Rashid Khan.
West Indies too have a new captain. Kieron Pollard, who played his last ODI in 2016, will now call the shots. He has been consistently doing well as the captain of Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League, and is expected to revive the team in limited-overs.
Other than changing the leadership, both teams have added new talents in the mix.
Players To Watch Out For
Rashid Khan has taken 13 wickets in 5 matches against West Indies, including a spectacular seven-wicket haul at Gros Islet. Given the pitch is tailor-made for the spinners, he is likely to catch the West Indians in a maze.
Brandon King made headlines throughout the 2019 CPL with superior batsmanship. With 496 runs at 55.1, he was the highest run-scorer of the tournament. To make matters more interesting, he is likely to open the batting with the devastating Evin Lewis. Imagine the mayhem.
Rahmat Shah did the bulk of the scoring for Afghanistan in the World Cup, and will be expected to continue his stellar show. More importantly, along with the experience Najibullah Zadran, he will have to hold the innings together to make sure Afghanistan bat throughout 50 overs – something they have been failing to do for a while now.
Match Prediction
Afghanistan are ahead in the head-to-head tally, winning 3 out of 5 ODIs against West Indies. However, West Indies look more balanced on paper. It all boils down to who adapts themselves to the conditions better. If anything, it is going to be a thriller of a series.
Squads
Afghanistan: Asghar Afghan, Hazratullah Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Javed Ahmadi, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Rashid Khan (c), Karin Janat, Yamin Ahmadzai, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb UR Rahman
West Indies: Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Ambris, Brandon King, Kieron Pollard (c), Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Keemo Paul, Shai Hope (wk), Nicholas Pooran, Hayden Walsh, Khari Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd