Afghanistan ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Tournament Preview & Guide
Key Facts
-
Nabi is No. 8 in the world among ODI all-rounders in the ICC rankings
-
Shapoor Zadran's inspiration is Shoaib Akhtar
-Mangal captained Afghanistan in its first ODI, against Denmark in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2009
- Hamid Hassan was the first Afghanistan cricketer to play at Lord's
Key Match: Afghanistan v Scotland, February 26, University Oval, Dunedin
Afghanistan has done well in recent encounters against Scotland and will fancy its chances against it. This is the first ICC Cricket World Cup appearance for Afghanistan and this encounter seems the most likely to produce a maiden win for Afghanistan in World Cups.
Quotes:
“We have been in constant war for the past 30 years and so something like playing in a World Cup is big for us. Ours is a cricket crazy nation and we have a huge following. Our fans are not just in Afghanistan but are spread over America, Europe and Asia because of what we have achieved in short time. We will be the underdogs of our group. But the positive sign is we will have a good backing in Australia and New Zealand. Fortunately, we have beaten Bangladesh in the Asia Cup last year which obviously has given us the confidence. We have played Australia, so know a little about their strengths and weaknesses.” – Bashir Stanikzai, High Performance Manager, Afghanistan
“We have a chance, if we play to our potential, to qualify for the quarter-finals. This is a game that can bring Afghanistan together and be a very good tool for peace and stability.” **–Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan captain
“We will rock the World Cup, all the boys are in confidence. We will show to the world that we are cricketers, and we are the people of peace, and we are the people of sports.” **–Nasimullah Danish, Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman
“If we (look) back 10 years we had nothing. We are thinking this is like a dream and we feel so proud. We have waited 10 years for this moment. I dreamed of playing on the biggest stage and now the time has come to do our best in the tournament.” **–Hamid Hassan, Afghanistan pacer
World Cup Legend’s Prediction:
***Scott Styris Prediction –***Afghanistan: Group Stage
“Afghanistan are the big movers of the world game. A fanatical following at home their improvement over the last five years has been impressive. They still don't have the class to progress any further. Still, that's not the point. Performing well against the test playing nations and beating their fellow minnows will be the target. Former NZ coach Andy Moles I’m sure will have them ready to go.”
Mohammad Nabi (capt), Afsar Zazai (wk), Aftab Alam, Asghar Stanikzai, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Javed Ahmadi, Mirwais Ashraf, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Nawroz Mangal, Samiullah Shenwari, Shapoor Zadran, Usman Ghani.
Feb 18: v Bangladesh, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Feb 22: v Sri Lanka, University Oval, Dunedin
Feb 26: v Scotland, University Oval, Dunedin
Mar 4: v Australia, Western Australia Cricket Association, Perth
Mar 8: v New Zealand, McLean Park, Napier
Mar 13: v England, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
