Deadline: November 11, 2019 at 2 PM IST
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Pitch Report
The pitch makes you work harder than you had planned to, but offers something for everyone. If batsmen take their time to settle, runs are easy to come by. If you keep the ball in the corridor of uncertainty, the ball is ought to take an edge. If you strangle the batsmen with spin, your wickets column will scale up. However, for all this to achieve, you have to pass the test of temperament. Only a few could attain success thus far in the series, thus providing us some quality cricket.
Teams
Probable XI for Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Asghar Afghan, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq
Probable XI for West Indies: Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh, Sheldon Cottrell
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 (c), Ikram Ali Khil
Batsmen: Evin Lewis, Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan
All-rounders: Rahmat Shah (vc), Roston Chase
Bowlers: Sheldon Cottrell, Hayden Walsh, Naveen-ul-Haq
Preview
Under the new leadership of the old warhorse Kieron Pollard, the West Indies registered their first ODI series win since 2014 on Saturday. They had won a World T20 and beat England in Tests, but amidst all this they were unable to flourish in the 50-over format. Whether it was Pollard’s captaincy or lack of intent from the otherwise spirited Afghanistan, is something to figure out once the series is over. More importantly, it is good to see the West Indians play happily as a cohesive unit – something that has been a concern for years. Either that or they find themselves in trouble with the board.
West Indies have already sealed the series 0-2, but they are looking at the big picture. They want to regain the dominance they once had scripted, and for that to happen, they have to consistently translate talent into performance.
As for Afghanistan, they have pushed themselves in the woods. They have now lost 11 ODIs on the trot, and despite the change in captaincy, they look the same indecisive team. Rashid Khan isn’t taking wickets, and his batsmen are unable to build partnerships.
Players To Watch Out For
Shai Hope‘s break from cricket due to injury has helped him regain his lost mojo. He followed a resolute 77* with a fighting 43. The conditions weren’t easy to bat in, so much so that the dangerous Evin Lewis took 75 deliveries for his 54.
When West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Nicholas Pooran decided to go all guns blazing. In the process he blasted 67 off 50 including 3 sixes and 7 fours. Eventually, it was his innings that made the difference.
Rahmat Shah played an uncharacteristic shot in the first match and got run out in the second. On both occasions he was well set for a big score. He will give his all to make amends in the final ODI. His 94 runs are the most for Afghanistan in the series.
Najibullah Zadran played a class-apart innings of 56 runs, although it eventually went in vain. Meanwhile, Asghar Afghan yet again got dismissed in the 30s. The experienced duo will play a key role on Monday in the middle-order.
Roston Chase has been brilliant with both bat and ball, having picked up a three-for and a half-century. He is a top candidate for captain or vice-captain in fantasy cricket.
Match Prediction
Afghanistan look out of sorts. A team that once looked passionate on the field has been down in the dumps of late. Rashid Khan will have to pull off a spectacular performance and lead from the front. Otherwise, another West Indies win is on the cards.
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
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