T20 WC 2024: Team Analysis: Is this the start of a new chapter for Afghanistan's T20 Cricket?

Jonathan Trott, the head coach of Afghanistan’s Men’s National Cricket Team, had a clear strategy during the 2023 ODI World Cup. He wanted his team to stay in the game as long as possible, making sure they played deep into the match. This approach worked well for Afghanistan. Their batting lineup consisted of players who preferred to take their time and bat through the innings. This style suited players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah perfectly, as they thrived on playing long innings.

Afghanistan’s spinners played a crucial role later in the matches, as they usually do. Their effective bowling helped the team achieve their best-ever World Cup performance. The combination of patient batting and strategic bowling showcased the strength of the Afghan team and highlighted their improvement on the world stage.

Afghanistan has had a poor record in T20 World Cups, winning only one out of 15 matches against top 10 ranked teams despite their talented players. However, in 2024, as the World Cup moves to the West Indies and the United States of America (USA), they are well-positioned to improve that record. The team selection has been better this time. While Afghan spinners have always been their strong suit, their anchor-heavy batting has been a weakness.

This year, Afghanistan’s batting lineup shows improvement with some solid hitters, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Nabi. Additionally, captain Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are capable of big hits down the order. With these changes, Afghanistan hopes to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

What can win them the trophy?

🏏 Is this the start of a new chapter for @ACBofficials's T20 Cricket❓#t20 #t20worldcup #afg pic.twitter.com/UZYjGxRUjs

— Saiprasad Kagne (@KEVLAR2601) June 3, 2024

Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi are standout spinners who feature prominently in T20 leagues worldwide. Their names frequently appear on the wicket-takers list, known for their economical spells and ability to baffle batters with their high-quality spin. This quartet, likely to play in Afghanistan’s first tournament game, brings a remarkable variety to the table: a left-arm wrist spinner, an orthodox off-spinner, a right-arm wrist spinner, and an off-break bowler who can drift the ball.

In addition to these four, Afghanistan also boasts Nangeyalia Kharote, a left-arm orthodox spinner who has taken five wickets in just three T20Is for his country. This diverse and talented spin attack positions Afghanistan as a formidable opponent in the upcoming T20 tournaments. When comparing the performance of Afghan spinners with those from other top spin nations, it’s clear they excel in both economy and wicket-taking.

Since the 2021 T20 World Cup, Afghan spinners have boasted the best economy rates while also being among the top wicket-takers. In T20 cricket, the ability to contain runs is crucial, often leading to more wickets. Afghanistan’s success and their potential qualification for the Super Eights will again depend heavily on their spinners, who have proudly represented the nation since Afghanistan’s entry into international cricket.

Since the 2021 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan’s batters have had the lowest combined strike rate among all teams, just 121.5. This highlights their struggles on the big stage. Significant improvements were needed, and the current squad appears to be a much better hitting team than previous versions. While Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah still play as anchor batters, with T20I strike rates of 107.23 and 113.83 respectively, the batters around them are known for their aggressive hitting.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has gained a reputation for quick starts in T20 leagues worldwide. Najibullah Zadran’s six-hitting ability, though underrated, is crucial for Afghanistan, providing the team with much-needed big shots. Additionally, players like Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan are dynamic batters capable of changing the game’s course with just a few deliveries.