Zimbabwe, Afghanistan fight for top spot
Sports

Zimbabwe, Afghanistan fight for top spot

Group A: Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland, Oman (matches in Dharamsala).

Group B: Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Scotland (matches in Nagpur).

On first glance, the ones to go through to the main stage of the T20 WC are no brainers. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Test nations. More experience. Better players. Healthier chances.

Twenty20s, however, evens the playing field to a large extent. A good phase of play could prove to be enough for an underdog to leave a top side in serious trouble. This will be a massive driving factor for the six other teams involved in the qualifying phase of the World T20, which will take place in Dharamsala andNagpur over the next six days.

Bangladesh would be overwhelming favourites in Group A, especially considering their recent performances, and strength in similar conditions. Group B, however, provides no straight answers. Scotland and Afghanistan are capable of pulling off the unexpected, while Hong Kong would be keen on not ending with the wooden spoon.

Zimbabwe:

In 2007, Zimbabwe made a stunning start to their World T20 campaign by defeating mighty Australia. Their slide since then has been spectacular. Without the likes of Brendan Taylor, who last year bid goodbye to international cricket, Zimbabwe resemble a pretty weak outfit. They, however, have in their ranks the likes of Hamilton Masakadza, Sean Williams and Malcolm Waller among others to pose a significant threat.

Zimbabwe’s exposure in international cricket should hold them in good stead and see them come out on top in Group B. They also have an experienced and hugely successful coach in Dav Whatmore, but they will have to ensure they do not give in to complacency come the qualifiers.

Squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Sean Williams, Wellington Masakadza, Malcolm Waller, Tinashe Panyangara, Richmond Mutumbami, Peter Moor, Luke Jongwe, Elton Chigumbura, Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chatara, Tendai Chisoro, Neville Madziva, Graeme Cremer, Vusi Sibanda.

© Getty

Afghanistan:

With a stunning 11 wins in 13 games since the World T20 in 2014, Afghanistan come into the tournament with their hopes soaring. That they also blanked Zimbabwe 2-0 earlier this year should underline their progress as a cricketing nation. Their game against Zimbabwe could be one that decides who goes through to the main stage.

Pace bowling is Afghanistan’s biggest strength. In Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan and Shapoor Zadran, they boast of a troika that can hit some serious pace and trouble the batsmen. Add to this the likes of wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad, who recently slammed a spectacular 118, Asghar Stanikzai, their captain, Mohammad Nabi, and Afghanistan have a squad capable of making the top spot in the qualifiers their own.

Squad: Asghar Stanikzai (captain), Mohammad Shahzad, Gulbadin Naib, Usman Ghani, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Sadiq, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah, Rashid Khan, Amir Hamza, Dawlat Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Hamid Hassan.

Picture credit: ICC/Sportsfile. ©

Hong Kong:

With not much experience, Hong Kong could well turn out to be the whipping boys in Group B of the qualifying stage. The inclusion of Ryan Campbell in the side should be a shot in the arm for the side bereft of exposure at the biggest stage, and Hong Kong will hope that Campbell, alongside Mark Chapman and Babar Hayat, the other promising batsmen in the line-up, deliver the goods and help the side punch above their weight.

Hong Kong had an extremely disappointing Asia Cup campaign, where they failed to beat Oman, UAE, who didn’t qualify for World T20, or Afghanistan. They will hope that they can somehow turn their fortunes around and show that they are worthy of a spot in the qualifying stage of the mega-starrer.

Squad: Tanwir Afzal (captain), Mark Chapman, Aizaz Khan, Nadeem Ahmed, Anshy Rath, Jamie Atkinson, Babar Hayat, Ryan Campbell, Christopher Carter, Haseeb Amjad, Nizakat Khan, Tanveer Ahmed, Waqas Barkat, Waqas Khan, Kinchit Shah.

Picture credit: ICC/Sportsfile. ©

Scotland:

Scotland are the only side never to have won a game at the World T20 – an unenviable record, but they will be confident of turning that around this time. They finished joint-winners in the T20 WC qualifiers, alongside Netherlands. They have already defeated Hong Kong twice recently and will be hopefully of upsetting the applecart when they take on the more fancied Zimbabweans of Afghanistanis.

With players like Preston Mommsen, Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross in the line-up, Scotland boast of decent batsmen. But what remains to be seen is wether they will come good on unfamiliar tracks in India.

Squad: Preston Mommsen (captain), Kyle Coetzer, Matthew Cross, Matt Machan, Josh Davey, Con de Lange, Safyaan Sharif, Alasdair Evans, Michael Leask, Gavin Main, Richie Berrington, George Munsey, Rob Taylor, Mark Watt, Calum MacLeod.

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