Thought I'd create a thread on my 2nd favorite team.
My predictions for the Super 10 stage of the WT20 is Afghanistan will struggle with the bat in every game. They will do well to post 120 against anyone. But their bowling is good enough that 120 could be defendable against the weaker sides in their group, especially on a turning track against an England, SA, or the ever crappier Windies.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Big test for the Afghans coming up...first bilateral series with Bangladesh. They have a 100% win record vs BD in BD. Asian conditions should be to their liking although they are missing Hamid and Shapoor. But Hamid is almost always out injured...
Might be their best shot with Mustafiz out injured and Bangladesh not having played an ODI since November 2015. They could garner a lot of points if they manage to win a match or two.
But they will have to bat better than they are used to against a very strong bowling attack. Should be a great series.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Afghan's choked today! Needed just 29 off 25 with 5 wickets in hand and set batsman at the crease. Of course well bowled by Taskin - who, btw, has the exact same action as before "remodelling" it - and Rubel and Shakib, but the Afghans are the new Bangladesh.
I think the new generation of AFG batsman like Rahmat and Shahidi, Ghani, Ahmadi, etc will take the country to new heights.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Shahidi made it very difficult by not getting better with strike rate as his innings went on, and Shah probably had to throw his wicket away trying to accelerate at the other end. But the worst part was the skipper eating up a whole over at crunch time. I have no idea why Stanikzai is even in the side let alone being captain - that too for such a long period! This makes Zim's love affair with Elton as skipper look amateurish. He even dropped a sitter or two I guess yesterday. Even in their worst times, BD had captains to look up to like Bashar and Saleh.
Pretty sensational win by the Afghans today. Nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory again but held their nerve.
Love the confident nature of the Afghan side as Mohammad Nabi said they are holding off celebrations until "the series win" on Saturday. Its the reason I support the Afghans and why I always knew they'd storm into the top 10 sides in the world ahead of the Irish.
Afghans will get a lot of points by beating Bangladesh!
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Afghans succumbed to the pressure of sealing the series against a Test playing side. Crushing 141 run loss in the final match.
That being said, they have given a very solid account of themselves. Their spinners outplayed Bangladesh's even Shakib included. They are just lacking a bit in the batting department and of course their fielding is very poor. A few improvements and they could have even won this series.
Just 7 runs short in the first ODI. They will only improve with more exposure and more matches against quality sides.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
ACB has plans to formally apply to the ICC for full membership.
I think Bangladesh has shown the ICC what a little bit of patience can do for world cricket if you promote the "right" nations. Bangladesh were behind Kenya when we got Test status in 2000, and we were well behind. However, Kenya never had the potential for growth beyond what they already had...they could only go down from where they were.
In this regard, Ireland are in a bit of a precarious position, especially if their players leave for England or other countries. Still, one hopes that Ireland can be like NZ...a tiny country but with enough passion and acumen to make a competitive side. Scotland could theoretically then follow the Irish model.
But Afghanistan and Nepal are countries the ICC should target. Assuming the Afghans get Test status anyways, thats a moot point. But Nepal should be promoted to ODI status. Again, this might be in the works already with the proposed 13 team ODI league. But Nepal will be under pressure, and their development can be accelerated if a similar ranked side is also included to make it a 14 team league (PNG would by my guess...or any nation that has some popularity with cricket and relies on homegrown players rather than just immigrants).
The important thing is that, everyone has to be patient. These teams will occiasionally be horrendous. But with a large player base, passionate fan following, and continous chances...they will over time eventually become competetive. And they will probably do it faster than the 15 years it took Bangladesh.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Everything that happens in Afghanistan happens in Pakistan, and to a lesser extent Bangladesh. No one is asking people to tour Afghanistan. They are based in India now.
Despite their issues, Afghanistan have produced some good talent. That speaks volumes for their potential.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Ireland need to bat out 2 days to save this match. There is no final for the IC Cup anymore...whoever wins this is likely to win the IC Cup and play Zim for the Test Challenge.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
Afghanistan just destroyed the West Indies in the Caribbean!!!! Rashad Khan takes 7-18 !!!! Makes me feel a little a better about Zimbabwe losing so many times to them ......
Afghanistan are now well out of sight of Zimbabwe I think. When did we last demolish the Windies anywhere?
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
Yup. Afghanistan did really well and lots of credit to them. They have two bowlers in the top ten for ODIs now and deservedly so.
What won't surprise me though is that the experience of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will teach the wider cricketing commentariat nothing: the "minnow" tag is demeaning and pointless. The number 8 side (Pakistan) is now in the Champions Trophy final and the team ranked 10th has two of the top 10 ODI bowlers in the world right now. However, for some reason (I attribute it to very limited brain capacity) anything over the number "8" seems to be a stretch too far for most of them. They can't expand their horizons to see where cricket could be in a few years without the constant attempts to shut nations out that aren't ranked above a particular cut off point. Had they had their way years ago, Bangladesh would not be in the Champions Trophy now and Afghanistan wouldn't even have a dream of full membership.
But hopefully there is a real and clear pathway for the bottom 3 teams to get promoted to the top tier. Otherwise this is counter productive window dressing...ie a veritable InterContinental Cup.
Ideally the bottom 3 get regular fixtures against the top 9. And even more ideally those fixtures should count towards the points table for the top 9. So a loss by a major side would really set them back.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.