ICC World T20: England wary of Afghanistan

New Delhi: Afghanistan may only have a mathematical chance of survival in a wide open Group 1 of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament having lost their first two matches, but they have made many friends and won as many admirers in their journey so far.

Up against England next at the Kotla here on Wednesday, Asghar Stanikzai’s men will come out playing cricket as they have done all along in this tournament — with all their heart and knowing no fear. England may have got the better of South Africa in a rip-roaring thriller at Mumbai after the shock defeat to the West Indies, but know that against the Afghans, they could have their hands full. Eoin Morgan will thus be keen to get this dangerous game out of the way before taking on a misfiring Sri Lanka.

“I think they are a dangerous side. They really play exciting cricket. If it was 10 years ago we wouldn’t have known a great deal about them but now we know quite a lot about them,” Morgan said here on match eve.

“Our priority is on winning. Tomorrow is a big game. Certainly we are not taking Afghanistan for granted. First and foremost we need to go into the game with the right mindset. We have been focusing on the two group games left. To get a win under out belt is key.”

One player England will certainly watch closely and hope to see off quickly is opener and wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad, whose portly appearance belies a ferocious ability to hit the cricket ball. “I think he is a good batsman. I think it would be rude on my part to single out any player of their side. As a side they can be quite strong and very destructive,” Morgan said.

Knowing they have one foot in the ‘Out’ door appears to have had little effect on the Afghans, as coach and former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq said.
“The boys have worked hard. It feels good that people are appreciating Afghanistan. We have qualified for the World Cup and played some good cricket,” Inzamam said.

“We might not have won a single game, but we have played good cricket. If we improve a level, we can win. This Afghanistan team have got all the talent, they just need more exposure. The more they play international cricket, the more their talent will improve.”

The X-factor though, will be the Kotla pitch. Three days ago, the women’s game between India and Pakistan could not aggregate 200 runs and if Afghanistan’s spinners — Mohammed Nabi, Rashid Khan and Samiullah Shenwari — find their range early, it promises for an interesting game.

England though have a powerful batting lineup with Joe Root at its heart. The prolific Yorkshireman showed why he is among the most feared — and underrated — batsmen on the planet with a blistering assault on South Africa.

With England openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales also in some form, it may be a bridge too far for Afghanistan, but they have entertained and enthralled so far. No one can ask more of a cricket team.