The host nation England is one of the favourite teams to win this World Cup.
However, Afghanistan, on the other hand, is an underdog, as they do not have much experience at this level against big teams.
Until now, Afghanistan has not won a single match in this tournament. They had a close match with Sri Lanka, which did not finish on their side. Their strength is their spin bowling.
In their first match, against Australia, David Warner played spin well as he has faced both Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi before in the IPL. Further, against Sri Lanka, Nabi was their leading wicket-taker, where he picked up four wickets.
Out of these four wickets, it included three wickets in a single over. Then against New Zealand, Rashid could not bowl as he sustained an injury while batting. Moreover, against South Africa, Rashid did not have a good outing with the ball.
England, who they will play next in this tournament, do not have a good record against spin. From their series against Pakistan, England has lost 16 wickets against spinners out of their 48 wickets in the ODIs until now.
Joe Root and Eoin Morgan are the batsmen who frequently get out against the spin.
This match between England and Afghanistan is going to happen in Manchester. Manchester provided some assistance to the spinners in the India-Pakistan match.
Further, teams like South Africa and Pakistan did start with the spin against England and found success. Moreover, another good thing for Afghanistan is that Jason Roy and may be Eoin Morgan will not play against them due to injury.
The English batsmen struggled against Imad Wasim during the ODI series against Pakistan. Therefore, Rashid could trouble them.
With Manchester showing signs of spin and England’s struggle against it, Afghanistan has got a good chance to open their account on the points table. However, they would have to bat well to do so.
What do you think, Roarers? Do Afghanistan have a chance of getting a win at this world cup – and can they do it against England?
Neel
Roar Guru
No. Afghanistan have not done well in this tournament till date and unfortunately they may not win a game.
Bobbo7
Guest
No. There is big gulf between these teams. Maybe if Afghanistan bat first, make 270 plus and England have an absolute shocker - a lot of ifs.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Afghanistan have seemed out of their depth so far, so I can't see them knocking off England, even if England "fail" with the bat.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
The Afghans have been a big disappointment in this event. The batting has looked very poor.
matth
Roar Guru
Probably not due to their batting struggling a bit. But the key will be to win the toss and bowl, hope Rashid is on song, and hope England have one of their days where they implode trying to go to hard. If Afghanistan bat first I doubt they’ll be able to post a total that will put England under enough pressure. The other possibility is with Roy out and then if Morgan doesn’t play, they might take Afghanistan too lightly? But Joe Root’s form is ominous
Paul
Roar Guru
Only if rain intervenes and it becomes a T20 slog fest