Afghanistan, Windies look to add silverware to the celebrations

Overview

Windies v Afghanistan
Harare Sports Club, Harare
CWCQ Final
Sunday 25 March; 09:30 local, 7:30 GMT

After three weeks of thrilling cricket, the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 is down to the last match. Windies and Afghanistan will both travel to the United Kingdom for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – that was the primary objective, and that’s been successfully achieved. The sweetener awaits on Sunday 25 March, the chance to add some silverware to the celebrations.

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A couple of weeks ago, Windies would perhaps have been favourites between the two. Now, it is not so straightforward. Afghanistan’s shoddy form early in the tournament very nearly cost them their seat in the big party next year, but a turnaround in form, and fortunes, has led to a remarkable reversal.

Everything that needed to go right for Afghanistan did go right – their five-wicket win over Ireland, coupled with Zimbabwe’s failure to beat the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, have ensured Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and the lot will add glitter to the World Cup next year.

Rashid, without the burden of captaincy following Asghar Stanikzai’s return, has returned eight wickets in his last two matches, including a 5/41 against UAE – he had managed all of eight in the five previous matches in the tournament. Mohammad Shahzad made a timely return to form against Ireland, scoring a 50-ball 54 that set them up well for a tricky chase. As for Stanikzai, he might be a bit ginger after his appendicitis operation, but still found the resolve to play a match-winning 29-ball 39 in a tense situation in the must-win last game.

It’s all come together for Afghanistan nicely in this tournament, and provided they recover from the celebrations in time, this may not be the best time to take them on.

Windies, for their part, went through the tournament winning the moments that matters. They have not set the stage alight, there have been hiccoughs, but they have won six of their seven matches. It’s the sort of get-the-job-done mentality that will serve them well in the final.

That said, their one loss so far came against Afghanistan, a three-wicket reversal in their first Super Sixes clash. A lot has happened since then, though, and that result is unlikely to have any bearing on their upcoming meeting.

In fact, this clash could be a taste of what lies in store at the World Cup next year.

Key players

Evin Lewis (Windies): The opening batsman has overshadowed his partner Chris Gayle so far in the tournament, and that’s saying something. Even in his struggles, Gayle shadows all, such is his enigma. But all the while, Lewis has gone about his job quietly and efficiently. He heads into this clash on the back of 64 and 66 against Zimbabwe and Scotland respectively. He has three half-centuries so far in the tournament, the 84 against the Netherlands being the other, and he’ll once again look to get Windies off to a good start on Sunday.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): The leggie has looked a different player since being released from the shackles of captaincy. There was a 5/41 against UAE, and it was followed by an important 3/40 against Ireland, which helped restrict the opposition to 209/7. More of the same is expected. In his previous clash against Windies, he managed just 1/31. Windies would be wise not to read too much into that.

Conditions
Rain has been a factor in quite a few matches this tournament, and more of it is forecast for Sunday. The runs have dried up at Harare Sports Club, with the pitch slowing down. The spinners – and Afghanistan score higher on that count – will rub their hands in glee.

Squads Windies: Jason Holder (c), Jason Mohammed, Devendra Bishoo, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams

Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Javed Ahmadi, Ihsanullah Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari, Nasir Jamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran