Afghanistan Team in Asia Cup 2018: Strengths, Weaknesses, Key Players, Full Squad and Prediction

In the past three years or so, Afghanistan have emerged from minnows playing at an associate level in ICC tournaments to a Test playing nation. While the emergence of Afghanistan is inspirational for other associate teams, the pressure on them has certainly increased a lot, and the expectations will be high from the team during their Asia Cup 2018 campaign. They are no longer considered pushovers and teams playing them will come up with a strategy to topple them, unlike in the past where they were present to just make up the numbers. Asia Cup Winners List: Which Country Won the Cup Most Number of Times? Here Are the Past Champions

Strength

Afghanistan’s strength lies in their bowling department where star names like Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are known for their miser run rates and wicket taking ability. Both are big names in the Indian Premier League where they regularly feature for their respective franchisee’s playing against some of the best in the business. Veteran Mohammad Nabi is nearing the twilight of his career but remains as important as ever with the ball at his event. Skipper Asghar Afghan is a dependable force with the bat and can stitch a partnership or two for the Afghans. Pakistan Team in Asia Cup 2018: Strengths, Weaknesses, Key Players, Full Squad and Prediction

Weakness

Batting remains a cause of worry for Afghanistan with no world-class names in the line-up. Apart from Asghar Afghan and wicketkeeper batsmen Mohammad Shahzad, there are not many who can be trusted with the task of playing fifty overs. The young crop of players particularly Ihsanullah Janat come into the tournament in not so good rhythm. Their main challenge in the slow dusty wickets of UAE would be to score at a consistent pace and not get bogged down in the middle periods which is easier said than done.

Squad

Asghar Afghan (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmat Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Samiullah Shinwari, Munir Ahmad Kakar (wk), Sayed Ahmad Sherzad, Sharafudin Ashraf, Yamin Ahmadzai. Asia Cup 2018 Free Live Streaming & Telecast Details: Time, Schedule, Venue, Where and When to Watch Matches on TV and Online.

Player to watch out for

Vice-Captain Rashid Khan is a world class name whose rise to prominence has been exemplary. In the limited format of the game, particularly the T20 internationals, Khan has been able to spin a magical wave around the batsman. He will be the frontline spinner for Afghanistan in the Asia Cup and his task will not be to contain the opposition, but more of a wicket-taker. . India Team in Asia Cup 2018: Strengths, Weaknesses, Key Players, Full Squad and Prediction

Prediction

Afghanistan will be in Group B along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and will not make it easy for the two teams in their bid for super four qualification. Bangladesh were recently beaten by Afghanistan in a three-match T20 series and psychologically it does have an edge over the Bangla Tigers. If only their batting was as effective as their bowling, Afghanistan could be looking ahead for a few more matches in the Cup.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2018 10:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).