UAE hurdle for Afghanistan in push towards top two

Overview

Afghanistan v United Arab EmiratesOld Hararians Sports Club, Harare
CWCQ Super Sixes Match 6
Tuesday 20 March; 09:30 local, 7:30 GMT

Both Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates were a part of the last ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015, but while UAE are already out of the race for a spot in the 2019 edition, Afghanistan are still in the hunt, if only just.

While Afghanistan won their first Super Sixes clash against Windies, they had carried no points into the round from the group stage and consequently sit in fifth spot in the points table with two points.

UAE also came in with zero points and lost to Scotlandin their first Super Sixes clash, and are bottom of the table. The most they can get to, if they can beat Afghanistan first and then Zimbabwe, is four points, which won’t be good enough for them. But, if they do beat Afghanistan, it will end the campaign for them, and that’s what UAE must be aiming for.

Afghanistan, who had a nervy run into the Super Sixes, getting there only because Nepal defeated Hong Kong in the last league game of Group B, have given themselves a fresh lease of life with a three-wicket win over Windies.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up three wickets, while the other spinners – Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Sharafuddin Ashraf – were all among the wickets as Windies were restricted to 197/8. Rahmat Shah then scored a crucial 68 to help Afghanistan chase down the target with 2.2 overs to spare.

However, Shah aside, none of the batters impressed and Afghanistan’s batting did not click together as a unit. That has been a concern for them throughout the tournament and don’t seem to be going away.

Going into this game, Afghanistan will have to reflect on that aspect of their game and ensure that a good platform is laid for the middle-order to capitalise on and for the bowlers to have something to play with.

UAE's problems have chiefly been with the ball. While Rohan Mustafa picked up 4/56 in their last outing against Scotland, he did not get much support from the others and Scotland put up a big total of 322/6. Eventually, UAE fell short by 73 runs even though Mohammad Usman scored a gritty 91-ball 80.

UAE's new-ball bowlers, Mohammad Naveed and Zahoor Khan, conceded in excess of eight runs per over against Scotland and gave them the opportunity to run away with the game. With Afghanistan's top order not in the best of form, this is UAE's best chance to lift their game with the ball and hurt the opposition.

Players to watch

Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan): The 24-year-old right-hand batsman has scores of 69, 11, 46 and 68 in his last four innings and comes into this game as Afghanistan's in-form batsman. Coming in at one down, Shah has the ability to soak in the pressure as well as capitalise on good starts. His consistency has been the key to Afghanistan's success in recent times and the team will bank upon him to continue his rich vein of form.

Rohan Mustafa (UAE): Tough situations call for the captains to step up and lead the way. That is exactly what Mustafa will be looking to do in this must-win match. He already has one five-wicket haul and one four-for in the tournament and has also scored a half-century. Mustafa has grown in stature along the way and is one of the lynchpins of the team.

ConditionsA partly cloudy day is expected in Harare on Tuesday with temperatures in the mid-20s. The pitch at the Old Hararians has been on the slower side, and that might make run-scoring slightly difficult with spinners coming into the picture early.

Squads Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Javed Ahmadi, Ihsanullah Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari, Nasir Jamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Afsar Zazai
UAE: Rohan Mustafa (c), Adnan Mufti, Ahmed Raza, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Ghulam Shabber (wk), Imran Haider, Mohammad Boota, Mohammad Naveed, Muhammad Usman, Qadeer Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan