Mohammad Nabi Age, Biography, career, stats, networth, Ranking & News

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Afghanistan Cricket Board May Allow Its National Players To Take Part In Only 3 Franchise Based T20 Global Leagues

Published on December 14, 2021

Afghanistan Cricket Board may allow their national cricketers to take part in only three franchise-based T20 leagues in order to ensure their availability in domestic tournaments.

ACB recently formed a 14-member technical committee to observe and review the present cricketing structure currently in place. Following their assessment, they’ve come up with a new plan of action to raise its standards.

Afghanistan Cricket Board Will Reduce Players Participation And Allow Its Players To Take Part In 3 Franchise Based T20 Global Leagues

The technical committees had already discussed a couple of times on different aspects to take the game forward in the war-torn country considering they will have to report back to the top ACB management with specific plans on what needs to be done so that the board can govern the game better.

Afghanistan cricketers are a hot commodity in the world of franchise-based T20 cricket. They feature regularly in almost every big T20 tournament around the globe at the expense of skipping their domestic tournaments, considering their presence is extremely low in competitions played in their own backyard.

“Our (Technical committee) plan is to discuss with ACB high-ups regarding the participation of our leading national cricketers in the domestic tournament,” Raees Ahmadzai, part of the newly-formed technical committee said.

“Maybe the Afghanistan Cricket Board will reduce their (players’) participation in different franchise leagues and ask the players to take part in only three franchise-based T20 leagues in a year and they can choose their options as it is their choice,” he said.

Afghanistan cricket team. Credits: Twitter

“There are the recommendations from the selection committee – that in different Test nations, first-class cricket is a priority and we have to follow the same path as players will need to play first-class cricket to get selected in Test squad,” he said.

“You know T20 team selection is easy as most of our players are playing in different T20 leagues around the world. But when your top cricketers are not participating in domestic cricket, then the new generation will not become good cricketers. So let’s see but I am sure more than 90% of national players will take part in domestic cricket from next year,” he said.

ACB’s 14-member technical committee includes – Abdulwali Amin, Ahmad Shah Suliman Khil, Allah Dad Noori, Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai, Ihsan Obaid, Menhaj Raz, Mohammad Khan, Nazeem Jar, Mohammad Salam Afghan, Nawroz Mangal, Noor Malikzai, Raees Khan Ahmadzai, Shahid Alokozai, and Taj Malik Alam.

Afghanistan players participate in the leagues such as the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, The Hundred, Bangladesh Premier League, Caribbean Premier League, Big Bash League in Australia. Their participation in these leagues means they miss the domestic tournaments.

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s Raees Khan Added The Committee Will Bring Overseas Curators To Develop Local Ground Staff

Raees Khan, who is very vocal regarding promoting fast bowlers, added that the committee will recommend bringing overseas curators to develop their local ground staff so that they can produce wickets to encourage fast bowlers.

”For the next season you know we want to prepare a good fast bowling wicket, good seaming wicket, bouncy wicket. And the cricket committee discussed… you know we need a good curator to help the other local curators to make a new good wicket for the fast bowlers,” he said.

Afghanistan will play 37 ODIs, 12 T20Is & 3 Tests in 2022-23, according to the Future Tour Program of ICC, apart from taking part in various ICC & ACC events in the next two years. Afghanistan will kickstart their season in 2022 in January by hosting the Netherlands for a three-match ODI series which is part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League in Qatar.

Following the series against the Netherlands, Afghans will tour Zimbabwe in January-February to play three ODIs while they are scheduled to host Australia & Pakistan for three ODIs. They will then travel to India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka to play three series (away) at the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League till 2023. Afghanistan so far has played only one Super League series and they earned full 30 points by clean-sweeping the Irish earlier this year.

The likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are familiar faces in almost every major T20 league including the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Big Bash League. The Taliban takeover of the country was followed by the resignation of Rashid Khan as the T20I captain and later the removal of CEO Hamid Shinwari. Adding to the raging fire, Cricket Australia decided to scrap their maiden Test against Australia later in the year.

Asghar Afghan has played six Tests, 114 ODIs, and 74 T20Is for Afghanistan. The right-handed batter made his debut against Scotland in 2009. Asghar Afghan played his first match in the longest format when Afghanistan locked horns with India in June 2018. He retired from international cricket during the 2021 T20I World Cup.

Gautam Gambhir. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

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Afghanistan Aren’t Pushovers As They Have A Good Bowling Attack: Gautam Gambhir

Published on November 3, 2021November 3, 2021

Gautam Gambhir said it won’t be an easy task for India to go after the Afghanistan bowlers in their must-win Super 12, Group 2 match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Afghanistan’s batting may not strike fear into the opposition, but their spin-bowling attack comprising Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi is enough to give sleepless nights to any team in the T20 World Cup. Stressing on that point, former India opener Gautam Gambhir said it won’t be an easy task for Virat Kohli and Co. to go after the Afghanistan bowlers in their must-win Super 12, Group 2 match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Mohammed Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Gautam Gambhir: Afghanistan Aren’t Pushovers As They Have A Better Bowling Attack Than Sri Lanka And Bangladesh

Gautam Gambhir said Afghanistan has a better bowling attack than the likes of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The fastest to 100 wickets in 53 T20Is, leg spinner Rashid Khan single-handedly tested Pakistan with his leg-spin before an Asif Ali cameo saw Pakistan win. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a mystery spinner who has nearly all the variations, returned his career-best T20I figures of 5-20 in his team’s 130-run rout of Scotland.

“Afghanistan aren’t pushovers. They have a better bowling attack than the likes of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,” Gambhir said ahead of India vs Afghanistan encounter.

India’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals from this group are hanging on a thread. However, after having suffered confidence-denting defeats to Pakistan and New Zealand in their first two matches, their only option is to win their next three games against Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia comprehensively and then hope any of these three sides would go on to beat New Zealand, bringing the net run rate into play.

Gautam Gambhir said this situation can act as an added motivation to the Indian batters.

“In such a situation when runs are dried up, batters tend to play for their position, which can be extra motivation. Do that and get runs on the board. You try to win first, rather than thinking about the NRR. Once you are in the game, you play according to the situation,” he added.

The IPL came under severe criticism after India pacer Jasprit Bumrah acknowledged that fatigue was one of the reasons for the Men-in-Blue’s below-par show in this World Cup so far. Gautam Gambhir, however, disagreed.

Gautam Gambhir: One Can’t Blame IPL For The World Cup Debacle

The former left-hander said it is wrong to blame the IPL for the World Cup debacle so far. The Indian batters did not show enough intent against New Zealand, which has nothing to do with the IPL.

“You can’t blame the IPL. If anything goes wrong with Indian cricket, everyone starts pointing fingers towards the IPL. This is wrong. Sometimes, you have to expect that 2-3 teams are playing better cricket than you. The earlier you accept that, the better it will be for you.”

“In the previous game against New Zealand, we weren’t brave enough, we were so nervous before the game. What has that got to do with IPL? It was similar in the 2019 World Cup semi-final as well. At that time, we had come to the World Cup after playing in the Indian Premier League as well!” Gambhir added.

The former KKR skipper said IPL is important to give adequate match practice to players.

“Instead, IPL is important because players need adequate match practice. You can’t go into the World Cup with 2-3 games of practice and warm-ups,” he said.

India had to beat New Zealand to revive their campaign and were expected to come hard at the Blackcaps, but the complete opposite happened when they took the field in Dubai. Earlier, in their opening game, Virat Kohli’s men couldn’t defend 152 in Dubai as Pakistan’s openers chased it down in 17.5 overs. After being asked to bat first, the Men in Blue managed just 110 for 7 in 20 overs and then saw the Blackcaps gun down the target in just 14.3 overs.

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Aakash Chopra On India’s Prospects In 2021 T20I WC – “We Have Already Put Our Lives’ Remote Control In Others’ Hands”

Published on November 3, 2021

Aakash Chopra has pointed out that Team India’s fate is no longer in their own hands and that they are dependent on other results to make the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2021.

The Indian team was handed crushing defeats by Pakistan (10 wickets) and New Zealand (8 wickets) and is yet to open its account in the marquee tournament. They need to win their remaining three encounters against Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia and hope for other results to go their way to qualify for the knockout stages.

Aakash Chopra: India’s Fate Is Hanging By A Very Thin Thread

While previewing tonight’s clash against Afghanistan in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted that Team India will have to rely on other results as well.

Aakash Chopra elaborated: “Nothing is easy, to win a match in the World Cup, now I see all the matches as difficult. We have lost to Pakistan and New Zealand. Our fate is hanging by a very thin thread. We have already put our lives’ remote control in others’ hands.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that Team India cannot consider Afghanistan as pushovers.

Aakash Chopra observed: “I am still saying India will win but is it actually a cakewalk. There are no games that are cakewalks in this World Cup as far as we are concerned. The toss will be in focus again. But do you still need the toss to defeat Afghanistan? Toss is important but it is not the be-all and end-all.”

Team India will hope that Virat Kohli wins the toss and they get to chase for the first time in the tournament. With Afghanistan showing a preference for setting targets, the toss might not have any relevance.

Aakash Chopra: Afghanistan Is A Serious Threat For Having 3 Excellent Spinners In Their Squad

Aakash Chopra pointed out that Team India will have their task cut out against the likes of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. Afghanistan is equipped with arguably the best spin attack in the tournament with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman sharing 13 wickets between them.

Rashid Khan, the fastest to 100 wickets in 53 T20Is single-handedly tested Pakistan with his leg-spin before an Asif Ali cameo saw Pakistan win. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, a mystery spinner who has nearly all the variations, returned his career-best T20I figures of 5-20 in his team’s 130-run rout of Scotland.

Aakash Chopra reasoned: “Afghanistan is a serious threat. Take them lightly at your own peril. If we were stuck in front of Shadab, Ish and Santner, there will be three excellent spinners here. If Mujeeb is fit, our story is going to be very difficult.”

The 44-year-old concluded by stating that the Afghanistan batters could also pose a serious challenge to Team India.

Aakash Chopra said: “Afghanistan have batsmen who like to play the big shots. Their batsmen don’t have any timidness. They do have a very decent batting lineup. They will keep on attacking. If a guy is there for 30 balls, he will kill you.”

Apart from their batting issues, Team India has also been found wanting in the bowling department. They will need their bowlers to be at the top of their game to restrict Afghanistan’s big-hitters. Underdogs Afghanistan are second behind group leaders Pakistan in the table and another win would boost their hopes for a place in the final four.

Below par totals of 151 (v Pakistan) and 110 (v New Zealand) are not usually associated with a team having world-class batsmen including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. But India’s batting has been found wanting against the quality pace attacks of Pakistan and New Zealand on a Dubai pitch that was one of the venues of the recent Indian Premier League.

In a procession against a Trent Boult-inspired Kiwi bowling line-up, KL Rahul (18), Ishan Kishan (4), Rohit Sharma (14), and Virat Kohli (9) returned to the dugout with the scoreboard reading 48. In Pakistan’s opening game against India, lanky Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi put India on the back foot from the start with the wickets of openers Rohit Sharma (0) and KL Rahul (3) off his first seven deliveries. He finished with 3-31 after dismissing India’s top scorer, skipper Virat Kohli for 57 in a total of 151-7 in 20 overs.

India and Pakistan rarely play against each other but have a heated rivalry. (Photo by Tharaka Basnayaka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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T20 World Cup 2021: It Would Be Great If India Makes It To The Final With Pakistan, Says Saqlain Mushtaq

Published on October 29, 2021

Saqlain Mushtaq, Pakistan’s interim head coach, would love it if his team got the opportunity to face India again in the final of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Pakistan started their World Cup campaign with a thumping 10-wicket victory over arch-rivals India and then followed it by the resounding win against New Zealand by five wickets. Men in Green are currently unbeaten in the T20I WC, with a perfect two in two records at the showpiece.

Saqlain Mushtaq: One Doesn’t Think About Opponent While Coming With A Mindset To Become A World Champion

Saqlain Mushtaq played international cricket between 1995 and 2004. Saqlain Mushtaq, known for introducing the Doosra, in his first full year (1996) with the Pakistan team, established a record for the most ODI wickets in a calendar year (65).

He then did even better the following year, setting a mark (69) that still stands. His impact was so great that he became the fastest bowler in history in terms of time (one year and 225 days) to reach the landmark of 100 ODI wickets, and to this day, no one else has got there in less than two years.

“When you come with a mindset to become a world champion then you don’t think about the opponent.

“You rather think whoever comes in, you do what you have to do and want to do. So we are thinking on the same lines day in and day out that whoever is against us in the next stage we will accept it,” Saqlain Mushtaq said in a virtual press conference on Thursday.

“If you want to become a world champion then you have to live up to the requirements — being tough, being well-prepared, and playing cricket different from the others, and it shows that you are a genuine World Cup winner. If you want to be a world champion then you should be thoroughly [tested] so that the world actually recognizes you.”

On Friday, Pakistan will face a stiff test against one of the best spin attacks in the competition, featuring Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. It’s not a test Pakistan has faced too often: they have met Afghanistan only once in T20Is, beating them with one ball to spare back in 2013, when Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman were yet to make their debuts.

Saqlain Mushtaq: It Would Be Great If India Makes It To The Final Of The 2021 T20I WC Alongside Pakistan

Saqlain Mushtaq, Pakistan’s interim head coach, would love it if his team got the opportunity to face India again and beat them again in the T20 World Cup final. He also feels more meetings between the sides will only improve relations between the two neighbours.

“If India makes it to the final with us, it would be a great thing because I feel — and this is not because we became big-headed after beating them — but because they are a strong team, everyone considers them a favourite. England and Australia always play tough cricket too.”

“One doesn’t have results in their hand but what we have in hand is our process, how we plan, our commitment, how we fight and bounce back and things we can control so we don’t focus on results and the opponent. If India comes in the final, then it would be very good for the ICC, fans around the world, and for world cricket — everyone will enjoy it. They are our neighbouring country and playing one more match would only improve our relations,” he pointed.

Pakistan Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan chased down India's score of 151 in 17.5 overs | Twitter | @WahabViki — Pakistan Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan chased down India’s score of 151 in 17.5 overs | Twitter | @WahabViki

“Hats off to Dhoni, Virat, Babar, Malik, Dahani, Rizwan, Imad, Hafeez — their picture of hugging and meeting each other after the Pak-India game has sent a strong message to the world about love,” the head coach of Pakistan added.

Pakistan next faces Afghanistan on Friday, followed by matches against Associate teams Namibia and Scotland. Afghanistan had demolished Scotland in their opener to give themselves a considerable net run rate boost and sit just under their neighbours on the points table.

Babar Azam stroked his way to 68 while his opening partner, Mohammad Rizwan, smashed 79 as the Indian bowlers struggled to contain the two batters. Earlier, Virat Kohli’s half-century helped India recover from a disastrous start and post 151/7 against Pakistan in Sunday’s ICC T20 World Cup match.

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Rashid Khan Denied He Ever Said He Will Marry If Afghanistan Win 2021 T20I WC

Published on October 21, 2021

Rashid Khan insists his mind is occupied by the forthcoming T20I World Cup and not wedding bells as the leg-spin wizard looks to inspire Afghanistan at the Twenty20 global showpiece.

Still only 23 years of age, Rashid Khan is key to his nation’s hopes of a first-world title and a potential triumph that would deliver a rare bout of good news for his home country, especially after the militant group Taliban’s takeover. However, Rashid Khan said that speculation over his private life in the run-up to the tournament, currently underway in Oman and the UAE, will not derail his ambitions.

Rashid Khan Denied He Ever Said He Will Marry If Afghanistan Win Their First- 2021 T20I World Cup

Rashid Khan, who made his Afghanistan debut when he was a teenager- 17, is one of international cricket’s most in-demand players. He has already played 51 T20Is and more than 280 games in the format for franchises around the world. A lucrative career has seen him ply his trade in England, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, South Africa, and, of course, the IPL in India, where he has been a regular for Sunrisers Hyderabad since 2017.

He denied he ever said: “I will marry when Afghanistan win a World Cup.”

“Actually, I was so shocked when I heard this because, to be honest, I never made a statement that I will marry once I win the World Cup,” said Rashid, whose family lives in Nangarhar in the eastern part of Afghanistan.

Rashid Khan, Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2021[photo: Twitter]

“I just said that in the next few years I have more cricket and three World Cups (the 2021 and 2022 Twenty20 World Cups and the 50-over World Cup in 2023) so my focus will be on cricket rather than on getting married.”

He has 95 wickets in T20 internationals with an average of just 12.63 and in 2020 was voted the ICC’s Cricketer of the Decade in the format. Initially, ACB named Rashid Khan as their captain for the T20 World Cup 2021.

Rashid Khan soon came up with a tweet stating that he will be leaving the captaincy. Post that, ACB announced that Mohammad Nabi will be the captain of the team. Rashid Khan decided to step down from captaincy after the spinner claimed that his “consent” was not obtained before announcing the squad.

Rashid Khan Feels It Will Be A Spinners World Cup

On the low, slow wickets of the Gulf, the spinners will be key contributors, according to the leg-spin wizard. Rashid Khan, who will be playing his second T20 World Cup, said that the spinners are always “effective” on the slow pitches at three venues in the UAE, where the Super 12s, as well as the semi-finals and final, will be played.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan turned in a few memorable match-winning efforts in SRH’s journey to the finals of the 2018 edition. He took 21 wickets and emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker in that edition. He has 93 scalps in 76 IPL games averaging a mere 20.55 at an economic rate of 6.33- the lowest economy rate ever in IPL history.

“I think it will be a spinners’ World Cup,” said Rashid.

“The wickets here are mostly very good for spinners, so I think that’s the main reason most of the teams have more spinners in their attack.”

India has packed four slow bowlers in their squad with Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Varun Chakravarthy, and Rahul Chahar, while England has Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone. Defending champions, the West Indies have Akeal Hosein, Hayden Walsh, and Roston Chase. Chris Gayle can also turn his arm over.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin AFP

Pakistan can call on Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Imad Wasim as frontline spinners. Veterans Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik can also give the ball a tweak. New Zealand has Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, and Todd Astle. Australia, yet to win a T20 World Cup, will look to Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar. Rashid Khan is not Afghanistan’s only front-line spinner — there is also Mujeeb Ur Rahman and skipper Mohammad Nabi.

“What I noticed during the Indian Premier League (the conclusion of which was also played in the UAE) was that wickets were good but there was not that much spin,” said Rashid.

“But I think the more we play in this World Cup we might see wickets which are a bit different and the more you play on these tracks it becomes slower and slower and they will be handy for spinners.” Rashid refused to predict any favourites for what is the seventh edition of the World Cup.

“Well it’s T20 and anyone can beat anyone on the day,” said Rashid, who stepped down from the captaincy ahead of the event over not being consulted in squad selection.

“We have a mixture of both experienced and young players and most importantly it’s quite balanced with a few all-rounders which make the side very balanced, especially in T20 when you have more of that all-round option.”

Afghanistan is placed in Group 2 of the World Cup with India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and two qualifiers in the Super 12 stage, which begins on Saturday.

T20I World Cup trophy. (Photo Source: Twitter)

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Brad Hogg Backs India, Pakistan, West Indies And England To Reach 2021 T20I WC Semis

Published on October 21, 2021

Brad Hogg, the former Australian bowler is backing India, Pakistan, West Indies, and England to reach the semi-finals of the upcoming T20I WC. The Super 12s stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup is set to get underway this week.

Brad Hogg appeared on former India batter Deep Dasgupta’s YouTube show DeepPoint. He previewed Australia’s chances at the T20 World Cup and also gave his predictions for the four teams that will reach the semi-finals.

Brad Hogg was a part of two World Cup-winning Australian teams; 2003 and 2007 © Getty Images

Brad Hogg Predicts England And West Indies Will Go To The Semis From Group 1

These are certainly interesting picks from Brad Hogg, who is not expecting his home country Australia to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. England and the West Indies were the finalists of the 2016 T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are both looking to win the tournament for the second time in their history having won the trophy in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

“The teams that I think are going to go to the semis are England and the West Indies from Group 1 and from Group 2 I think it’s going to be Pakistan and India.”

West Indies players celebrate with the 2016 T20 WC Trophy [Image-Getty]

Afghanistan combined a belligerent batting performance with tight bowling to stomp to a shocking 56-run win against a somewhat lethargic 2016 T20I WC defending champions West Indies in both teams’ second and final warm-up match for the T20 World Cup 2021.

Mohammad Nabi opened the bowling for Afghanistan and bowled his four overs straight through to return figures of 4-2-2-3, completely stifling West Indies’ chase. Mohammad Nabi bowled 22 dot balls out of 24, conceding only two singles off the bat all through.

Pakistan brushed defending champions West Indies aside in their first warm-up game, crushing Kieron Pollard’s side by seven wickets with 27 balls to spare. In a comprehensive all-around bowling performance, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali found themselves amongst the wickets while keeping the run-scoring down, before a majestic half-century from Babar Azam, and an unbeaten 24-ball 46 from Fakhar Zaman put West Indies out of their misery.

Brad Hogg Predicts Pakistan And India Will Go Through

Brad Hogg is backing Pakistan to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. But he believes they will need to beat India in their first game to have any chance of qualifying.

“If Pakistan get beaten by India in the first game, they’ve got a short turnaround to play New Zealand. I think that will be a huge factor on whether Pakistan go through or not. If Pakistan lose against India in the first game, I don’t think they will get through, India will get through. So watch that space.”

India and Pakistan will face off in their Super 12s opener on Sunday, October 24. And fireworks are expected in the game between the two arch-rivals. Pakistan’s next game will see them take on New Zealand just two days later. Defeats in those two games would probably spell curtains on their campaign.

India chased down 189 to beat England with an over to spare as the bat-dominated ball in Dubai. Russie van der Dussen hit a stunning unbeaten century off 51 deliveries as South Africa pulled off an extraordinary run chase to beat Pakistan. Russie Van der Dussen and David Miller slammed 22 off the final over to seal the win off the very last ball of the match.

India cruised to back-to-back wins in the warm-up games ahead of the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. All the Indian batters contributed to the eight-wicket win, with Rohit Sharma leading the way with a fantastic half-century. India spun a web around the Australian top-order before Steve Smith’s half-century and Marcus Stoinis’ cameo propelled Australia to 152.

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Afghanistan T20 World Cup Squad 2021, Schedule, Date, Time, And Venue

Published on September 19, 2021

Afghanistan is placed currently on the 7th spot in the ICC T20 international rankings. Once the team enters the tournament all eyes will be on big names like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. The above-mentioned players will have a big responsibility on their back.

There was a question mark over the participation of Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup after the Taliban takeover in the country. However, reports have emerged that the team will definitely participate in the tournament. The seventh edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is all set to commence from October 17.

Meanwhile, the summit clash will take place on November 14. Notably, the tournament was scheduled to begin in India. The ICC later shifted it to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and OMAN due to the Covid-19 scare in India.

Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi playing for Aghanistan. Credits: Twitter — Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi playing for Afghanistan. Credits: Twitter

Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan Quit As Skipper After Squad Was Announced

Notably, minnows and relative newcomers in the international arena, Afghanistan has never won an ICC T20 World Cup Trophy and never even made it to the finals of the marquee event. However, under the leadership of Mohammad Nabi, they will be hoping for a better outcome in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021. Notably, Team Afghanistan made an entry in the Super 12s of the marquee event through direct qualification.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan is placed in Group 2 of ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Alongside India, New Zealand, and Pakistan they will be joined by 2 other teams from the qualifier stage.

Meanwhile, there was a lot of chaos during the announcement of the squad as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). ACB named Rashid Khan as their captain for the T20 World Cup 2021. Rashid Khan soon came up with a tweet stating that he will be leaving the captaincy.

Post that, ACB announced that Mohammad Nabi will be the captain of the team. Rashid Khan decided to step down from captaincy after the spinner claimed that his “consent” was not obtained before announcing the squad for ICC men’s T20 World Cup slated to be played in UAE and Oman.

Afghanistan’s Squad For The Upcoming T20 World Cup 2021:

Afghanistan Cricket Team (Image Credit: Twitter)

Mohammad Nabi ( C ), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Karim Janat, Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Usman Ghani, Naveen ul Haq, Asghar Afghan, Hamid Hassan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Najibullah Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shapoor Zadran, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Qais Ahmad. Reserves: Afsar Zazai, Fareed Ahmad

Star leg spinner Rashid Khan will spearhead the attack and has been joined by fellow all-rounders Mohammad Nabi and Sharafuddin Ashraf in the squad. Front-line spinners Qais Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are also included in the Afghanistan roster for the tournament.

The Complete schedule of Afghanistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021:

25 October 2021: vs Qualifier (B1), Sharjah (07:30 PM IST)

29 October 2021: vs Pakistan, Dubai (7:30 PM IST)

31 October 2021: vs Qualifier (A2), Abu Dhabi (3:30 PM IST)

3 November 2021: vs India, Abu Dhabi (07:30 PM IST)

7 November 2021: vs New Zealand, Abu Dhabi (03:30 PM IST)

Sourav Ganguly reveals T20 world Cup trophy | Image Credit: Twitter

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ICC T20I World Cup 2021: 4 Teams Which Won’t Be Able To Qualify For The Semi-Final

Published on September 17, 2021

ICC T20I World Cup 2021 is just a month away from taking place after a gap of five years and the excitement for the tournament in UAE is at its’ peak already. The previous edition took place in 2016 when West Indies emerged as the champions and this will be a 12 team affair this time around for the group stages.

The top eight teams from the T20 international rankings qualified automatically for the league stages of the T20 Worldcup while the remaining four teams will have to make it through the ICC T20I World Cup 2021 qualifiers. Surprisingly, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh haven’t been able to make it to the league stages and are placed in the qualifiers. Here are 4 teams that won’t be able to qualify for the semi-finals of ICC T20I World Cup 2021.

Representational image of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup trophy | AFP / Jewel Samad — Representational image of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy | AFP / Jewel Samad

ICC T20I World Cup 2021: 4 Teams Which Probably Won’t Be Able To Qualify For The Semi-Final

Australia:

Australia is one of the powerhouses in world cricket at present for a long time now and they still continue to dominate best teams but haven’t been doing it on a consistent basis. But recent losses to West Indies and Bangladesh with a depleted squad saw their reputation diminish.

When it comes to T20 cricket, Australia hasn’t always been the team to watch out for as they do have a lot of stars in their lineup but despite that, they have lacked the T20 flavour. 2010 was the only year they reached the finals of the ICC T20I World Cup and they lost to England.

Australia’s recent form in T20I hasn’t been impressive either as they lost the T20I series in West Indies 4-1 and lost a bilateral series for the first time against Bangladesh which wasn’t the ideal preparation they needed. Australia has been placed in a strong group comprising of England, West Indies, and South Africa and their chances of making it to the semifinals look bleak at the moment.

Australia has lost the last 5 T20I series they have played against New Zealand, India, England, West Indies, and Bangladesh. With the return of big names like David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, and Pat Cummins the Aaron Finch-led side will be looking forward to gaining back the momentum.

South Africa:

South Africa has lacked the edge needed in the knockouts to progress to the finals of the tournament and it has been evident through their results so far in ICC events. They haven’t made it to a final in ICC T20 World Cup yet and have been succumbing down when it comes to pressure games for which they are labelled chokers.

The Proteas are a different looking side now without AB De Villiers and Faf du Plessis, and their new skipper Temba Bavuma will have a huge responsibility under his belt for the T20I World Cup. Their bowling attack does look good but they are expected to struggle with their inexperienced batting lineup and are unlikely to progress to the semi-finals after being placed in a tough group.

They are currently placed on the 5th spot in ICC T20 Internationals rankings. Also in the last 5 T20 international series, they have lost 3 series. They have some exceptionally talented players like Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassi Van Der Dussen, and David Miller on the team but have left out experienced Chris Morris, Faf du Plessis, and Imran Tahir.

Afghanistan :

Afghanistan has been one of the teams that have come from far behind in terms of development and the results are there to see as well. They have produced a lot of young match winners already and the best example is Rashid Khan who has been the best spinner in the world in the last two years globally.

Afghanistan has picked up a good squad for the ICC T20I World Cup 2021 but they have a lot of issues going on with the Taliban government and it will certainly take a toll on their performance. They have gone in for experience in the fast bowling department and Rashid Khan has stepped out as the captain of the side as well for the ICC T20I World Cup 2021. With India and New Zealand in the group, Afghanistan might not be able to progress to the semi-finals.

Currently, Afghanistan is placed on the 7th spot in the ICC T20 international rankings. Once the team enters the tournament all eyes will be on big names like Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. ACB named Rashid Khan as their captain for the T20 world cup 2021. Rashid Khan soon came up with a tweet stating that he will be leaving the captaincy. Post that, ACB announced that Mohammad Nabi will be the captain of the team.

Pakistan:

Pakistan is looking like a better group in the last few international series and with the change in the coaching staff and the Director, a lot could change for the Pakistan side ahead of the ICC T20I World Cup 2021.

However, their recent performances haven’t been up to the mark especially in England and they still have holes to fill inside the group. Lead by captain Babar Azam, Pakistan will kickstart their ICC T20I World Cup 2021 campaign against arch-rivals India in Dubai on 24 October.

They will then face New Zealand in Sharjah on 26 October before returning to Dubai to take on Afghanistan. Their last two matches in the Super 12 stages will see them face runners-up of Group A and table-toppers of Group B from Round 1 in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah respectively.

Their middle order needed some solid experience and they have gone in for youngsters who had failed earlier. Their fast bowling and spin department don’t look bad either but they still do not like getting past New Zealand and India who have strong depth in their squads for the ICC T20I World Cup 2021.

Pakistan chose youth over experience for the backup wicketkeeper spot with the inclusion of Azam Khan over Sarfaraz Ahmed. Azam Khan has featured in only three T20Is in his career and has aggregated only six runs in two innings but his exploits in domestic T20 competitions has helped him seal a berth in the ICC T20I World Cup 2021 squad.

Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah were among the surprise inclusions in the squad for the ICC T20I World Cup 2021 World Cup, having last played a T20I for Pakistan earlier this year against Zimbabwe and South Africa respectively.

They did not find a place in the squad for the tours of England and the West Indies. The experienced campaigners Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, and Sarfaraz Ahmed surprisingly didn’t find a place in ICC T20I World Cup 2021 squad.

Cricket/News

Mohammad Nabi Is Set To Lead Afghanistan In 2021 T20I World Cup After Rashid Khan Stepped Down

Published on September 10, 2021September 10, 2021

Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan’s all-rounder is set to take the captaincy of Afghanistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup after skipper Rashid Khan stepped down from the role on Thursday.

Rashid Khan decided to step down from captaincy after the spinner claimed that his “consent” was not obtained before announcing the squad for ICC men’s T20 World Cup slated to be played in UAE and Oman.

Mohammad Nabi To Lead Afghanistan As Rashid Khan Stepped Down As Skipper After The Squad Was Named

Mohammad Nabi, who had earlier captained Afghanistan, will be now lead the side. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Thursday announced the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Minutes after the announcement, Rashid Khan said the selection committee and ACB didn’t obtain his consent for the team.

“As the captain and responsible person for the nation, I reserve the right to be part of the selection of the team. The selection committee and ACB has not obtained my consent for the team which has been announced by ACB media,” Rashid said in a statement on Twitter.

“I am taking the decision of stepping down from the role as the captain of Afghanistan T20 side effective immediately. It’s Always my proud playing for Afghanistan,” he added.

In the squad, wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad was also named in the squad. Afasr Zazai and Farid Ahmad Malik were included as the two reserve players.

Afghanistan T20 Squad: Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Usman Ghani, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Shahzad, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen ul Haq, Hamid Hassan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Qais Ahmed Reserves: Afsar Zazai, Farid Ahmed Malik

Cricket Australia May Scrap One-Off Test Against Afghanistan As Taliban Banned Women From Playing Cricket In Its Earlier Regime

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been named Afghanistan skipper for the upcoming T20 World Cup after star spinner Rashid Khan stepped down from captaincy protesting the selection of the national squad without his inputs. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is yet to officially announce Mohammad Nabi’s appointment as captain but the 36-year-old all-rounder tweeted that he has been chosen to lead the team.

Australia has so far played three international matches against Afghanistan. All three were ODIs, the latest being a World Cup 2019 contest. - REUTERS — Australia has so far played three international matches against Afghanistan. All three were ODIs, the latest being a World Cup 2019 contest. – REUTERS

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14. Afghanistan has been in turmoil following the takeover of the country by the Taliban. Soon after forming the interim government, the Taliban banned women from playing cricket or any others sports, casting doubts over Afghanistan men’s team Test status. As per ICC rules, all Test-playing nations must have a women’s team as well.

Cricket Australia (CA) all but confirmed on Thursday that its men’s team’s season-opening Test against Afghanistan, slated to start on November 27, will be scrapped due to the Taliban’s order.

Cricket/News

ICC Is In Constant Touch With Afghanistan Cricket Board(ACB) Over Taliban Issue

Published on August 17, 2021

International Cricket Council (ICC) also has an eye on the Taliban matter as the world watches the situation in Afghanistan unfold as armed militants have forcefully taken over the country and entered the capital Kabul. The ICC office in Dubai is in constant touch with the members of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in Kabul to “fully understand the impact of changes” happening in the country.

One of the biggest challenges in front of ACB could be the sustenance of women’s cricket in the country — something which has gone from strength to strength in recent times. In 2020, 25 female players were awarded central contracts for the first time, thus clearing the deck for the formation of a national women’s team. Skill-based camps were organized to further the efforts.

Afghanistan cricketers are safe, the country's board president assured (Reuters Photo) — Afghanistan cricketers are safe, the country’s board president assured (Reuters Photo)

International Cricket Council (ICC) Is In Constant Touch With Afghanistan Cricket Board As Situations Worsen In Afghanistan For Taliban’ Forceful Takeover

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is apprised of the developments in Afghanistan — where the Taliban’s sudden and forceful takeover has sent the country into chaos and misery — and is in touch with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), monitoring the developments in Kabul.

“That was a massive development. We don’t know what now,” said a source in ICC women’s cricket.

ACB acknowledges that being a full member of the ICC, it is “required to have a national women’s team of its own” but there’s a lot of uncertainty around what will come of their efforts in the time to come.

“I have not heard from the ICC on what is happening as far as women’s cricket in Afghanistan,” said Lisa Sthalekar, a member of ICC Women’s Cricket Committee, “but personally I am concerned about what is happening there.”

Afghanistan Cricket Board. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Despite the cataclysmic geopolitical changes, the country’s cricket community is hopeful of the game’s future.

“Cricket in Afghanistan began from refugee camps and we have come a long way. With very limited resources, we climbed our way up to full membership,” Shafiqullah Stanikzai, former CEO of ACB under whom Afghanistan had attained full membership of the ICC in 2017, told Cricbuzz.

“I hope and pray that cricket in Afghanistan continues to grow. For us, it is beyond a sport, a game. Cricket has given us an identity making the image of Afghans around the world optimistic. Through cricket, we convinced the global community to invest in our talent and in Afghan youth. I hope this continues.”

It was earlier reported that changes are in motion at the top of the hierarchy in cricket too, with Azizullah Fazli set to replace current board chairman Farhan Yousefzai, who is understood to be out of the country.

Afghanistan Focusing On The Pakistan Series: ACB Spokesperson

But a forced change in a board’s administration could attract the attention of the apex board ICC which wants all its boards to be autonomous and free of government interference.

“For the moment we are focusing on the Pakistan series. We are confident it will happen. If it does not, due to reasons not relevant to us, we could advance the dates of Shpageeza Cricket League (the domestic league),” ACB spokesperson Hikmat Hasan said.

“The squad (for the Pakistan series) is already out. The coaches trained the players in Kabul for one month. We are well prepared for the matches in Sri Lanka and the Twenty20 World Cup in UAE. Our head coach Lance Klusener was in Kabul till Eid. We have recruited Shaun Tait as bowling coach and he will be joining the squad in Sri Lanka,” Hikmat further added.

ICC-International Cricket Council , AFP File Photo — ICC-International Cricket Council, AFP File Photo

Cricket will not be a casualty in the wake of drastic political change in Afghanistan, assured country’s cricket board CEO Hamid Shinwari, saying the Taliban “love” and “support” the game.

Speaking from Kabul, Hamid Shinwari also assured that the members of the national team and their families are safe as the Taliban took over the reins of the country. Star players including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are playing in the UK in the ‘Hundred’ tournament.

Cricket’s rise in the country coincided with the Taliban’s rule between 1996 and 2001 with many Afghan refugees in neighbouring Pakistan picking up the sport.

Afghanistan Cricket has made 8 changes to their ODI squad ahead of the ODI series against Pakistan in September 2021. The new players are Sediq Atal, Shahidullah Kamal, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Abdul Rahman in a 17-member squad while Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, and Ikram Alikhal are making their comeback.

The likes of Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib, Javed Ahmadi, Usman Ghani, Yamin Ahmadzai, and Sayed Shirzad have been dropped.

Afghanistan squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediq Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najib Zadran, Ikram Alikhal, Shahid Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmat Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Naveen Ul Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Noor Ahmad

Mohammad Nabi

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