?ICC World Twenty20 2016 - Group B Preview
Afghanistan (****preview)
Captain:Asghar Stanikzai
Coach: Inzamam-ul-Haq
Key Players:
Gulbadin Naib is one of the crucial cogs in Afghanistan's machinery. In the team’s recently concluded One-Day International series against Zimbabwe, Naib was instrumental in helping Afghanistan clinch the series, with 82 not out off just 68 deliveries when they were chasing 249.
Naib’s strike-rate in the shortest format looms around the 130s, an impressive number. He is a useful bowler as well.
Najibullah Zadran has a Twenty20 International strike rate of 139.56 from 20 matches. One of the indicators of his striking prowess is that he has more sixes (21) than fours (18) in his T20I career so far. In a recent Asia Cup qualifier match against Hong Kong, Najibullah smashed a 35-ball 60 with four sixes, serving notice of his hitting ability.
Form: W4, L1
Quote: “They are talented cricketers who hit the ball hard; attacking players who could really hurt the senior teams. Hopefully we will surprise a few teams but we have to be realistic too.” Peter Ferguson, the Afghanistan assistant coach.
Captain:Tanwir Afzal
Coach: Simon Cook
Key Players:
Ryan Campbell, who could not play in the Asia Cup because of work commitments, came in focus after he hit 303 not out off 107 balls for Kowloon Cricket Club in 2014. Also the team’s batting coach since 2013, he has a larger role to play. “I will make sure that I work with all the players and then I will look after my batting side later on. They will always come first,” said Campbell.
Babar Hayat’s strike-rate of 131.15 is the best for Hong Kong in T20Is. In 17 matches, he has hit 18 sixes – the most by any batsman from his team. His 60-ball 122 against Oman in the Asia Cup included seven hits over the fence, while his unbeaten 45-ball 65 against the same opponent last year had three sixes.
Form: W1, L4
Quote: “One of the things that we learned about our last World T20 tournament is that having that ability to think clearly in high pressure situations is critical and Ryan’s experience will be an enormous help in that regard.” – Simon Cook on Ryan’s selection in the team.
Captain:Preston Mommsen
Coach: Grant Bradburn
Key Players:Kyle Coetzer is the marquee player in Scotland's ranks. He is a right-hand top-order batsman and is currently Scotland's highest run-scorer in T20Is with 687 runs in 32 matches at an average of 23.68 and a strike rate of 113.55.
Ever since he was replaced by Preston Mommsen as captain in 2014, Coetzer has batted with a new sense of freedom, notching up both his highest ODI and T20I scores. His 156* came against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2015 and is the highest score by a batsman from an Associate nation in an ODI. More recently, he topped his highest T20I score with a knock of 70 against Hong Kong.
Matthew Cross has shown much promise as a wicket-keeper batsman since his debut in 2013. He has played 16 T20Is and scored 282 runs at an impressive strike rate of 139.60.
In a T20I series preceding the ICC World T20 Qualifiers against Ireland, Cross bagged the Player of the Series award with scores of 60 in 33 balls and 48 in 30 balls. He carried the good form into the qualifying tournament, scoring 184 runs at an average of 36.80 and a healthy strike rate of 157.26.
Form: W3, L2
Quote: "We have an excellent mix of youth and experience across the squad, with every player offering dynamic specific skills in this format. India presents a huge challenge for the team. However, it also presents a fantastic opportunity which we are all looking forward to. We have five warm-up fixtures in India to adapt to conditions and to complete our team preparation to unleash our very best skills, at this global tournament."—Grant Bradburn, the Scotland coach.
Captain:Hamilton Masakadza
Coach: Dav Whatmore
Key Players:
Sean Williams, the left-hander from Bulawayo has a good record and he offers an interesting mix of steady scoring and aggressive run-gathering depending on the situation. He is also very useful with his left-arm spin bowling. Williams has had great success with the side in the ODI format, and for Zimbabwe to progress in the tournament, much will depend on the 29-year-old delivering consistently.
Hamilton Masakadza, the skipper has been around long enough to command respect, but it’s his ability to strike the ball that truly earns him his reputation as the most destructive batsman in the side. His ability to muscle the ball against all bowlers has brought 32-year-old 46 sixes in 44 T20Is, and that tally only looks set to increase during this tournament. Every once in a while, Hamilton shows just how much power he packs in every shot, and that is a sight to behold.
Form: W2, L3
Quote: “We are fortunate that we have got the time to be able to train hard and play practice matches before the World T20 tournament. I’m sure all those factors are going to put us in a better position come the actual tournament and I’m confident the boys will be ready.” - Makhaya Ntini, the bowling coach.
