The recent success of the Afghan team means they will be more than a handful and pose a threat to upset the bigger nations.

By PakPassion Staff (25th January, 2015)

Playing in their first ICC Cricket World Cup Afghanistan will enter the tournament grouped with two favourites Australia and New Zealand. Playing against UAE, Ireland and Scotland recently Afghanistan came up with mixed performances. They are captained by all-rounder Mohammad Nabi and the batting will be lead by Javed Ahmadi and Nawroz Mangal at the top and some late order hitting can be seen in the form of Najeebullah Zardan. Bowling will be depending highly on the experienced quick bowler Hamid Hassan who has been among the wickets in the recent past.

Still a very young team Afghanistan players are up for some great experiences playing against top teams and to test their mettle against some of the top players in the world. A nation normally in the news for its problems will be refreshed to find their team in the middle of this mega ICC tournament and it will do tons of good for their upcoming players and youngsters back home. 

World Cup Record 

1975-2003 – Not ICC Members
2007-2011 – Did not qualify

Squad

Afsar Zazai (wk), Aftab Alam, Asghar Stanekzai, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Javed Ahmadi, Merwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi (capt), Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Nawroz Mangal, Samiullah Shinwari, Shapoor Zadran, Usman Ghani.

Top 3 Players to watch:

Mohammad Nabi:

Batting Average: 31.44 Strike Rate: 89.60

Now captain and one of the most experienced players as well as the highest ODI run getter for Afghanistan. A veteran of 45 ODIs Nabi can be seen leading from the front with both bat and ball or providing much needed stability to the middle order.

Nawroz Mangal:

Batting Average: 35.55 Strike Rate: 81.70

Afghanistan’s former captain, a batsman capable to scoring big. Without the added responsibility of captaincy on his shoulders Mangal can impress with his batting and on his day is able to play a good knock on the biggest stage.

Hamid Hasan:

Wickets : 46 Bowling Average: 18.93 

A quick bowler who can swing the ball both ways is definitely able to trouble any batsman in bowling friendly conditions. Hamid Hasan is not to be taken lightly as he can be quick and swing the ball and provide a lower order blitz with the bat on his day.

Prediction:

It is difficult to predict them proceeding to the knock-out stage but they have the raw talent to cause one or two upsets by beating a Test playing nation.

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