Cricnepal/Kathmandu: Three times defending Champion Afghanistan will face United Arab Emirates tomorrow in a match that is likely to determine the Group Winner and Runner up of Group A. UAE shall be the first big test of Afghanistan this tournament- as Afghan Cricket Board opted for a inexperienced Afghan team this match is will prove valuable determining the strength of this inexperienced side.
Afghanistan and UAE have met 4 times in the shortest version of the game, Afghanistan victorious in all four. UAE however have the upper hand in the 50 over format getting better off in all 9 encounters. In the recently held ACC Elite Cup in UAE, UAE embarrassed Afghanistan by 8 wickets in the semi-finals.
Afghan team is missing likes of Noor Ali, Naworoz Mangal and Fast Bowler Dwalat Zadran and with that UAE would consider themselves favorites for tomorrows.
Afghanistan Squad:
Mohammad Nabi, Karim Sadiq, Gulbadin Naib, Shapoor Zadran, Aftab Alam, Najibullah Zadran, Nasim Baras, Batin Shah, Mohammad Nasim, Fazal Rahman, Hazma Hotak, Najibullah Zadran
ACC T20 2011: Winner
Players to Watch Out For:
In form Gulbadin Naib, who recently scored a century against Pakistan A side in a friendly One Day match. Naib rose to fame amongst Associate fans with his blistering 44 of 32 against England in the World Cup. His all round performance of 45 runs and 4 wickets against Bahrain already got him a player of the match
Mohammad Nabiwill have a important role to play as a captain. He has already impressed in the tournament with 5 wickets in 2 matches including a 4 wicket haul. Against Oman he contributed 32 runs off his bat. His 11 against Bahrain came in only 3 balls.
Shahpoor Zadran is sure to ask some questions to the batsmen with his fast bowling.
UAE Squad:
Ahmed Raza(Captain), Rohan Mustafa, Wasim Bari, Bakhtiyar Hamid, Amjad Ali, Arshad Ali,Sandip Patil, Faizan Asif,Sandeep Silva, Mohammad Azam, Swapnil Patil, Amjad Javed,Adil Reyel, Abdul Shakoor, Fayyaz Ahmed
ACC T20 2011: Group Stage
Players to Watch For:
Amjad Ali in an explosive T20 player and scored 39 of 27 ball against Kuwait and 20 of 16 against Oman
Rohan Mustafa contributed with bat against Kuwait with 35 of 19 balls and with ball against Oman picking up 3 wickets.
Shadeep Silva, slow left arm orthodox bowler is the lead wicket taker for UAE in T20. He hasn’t impressed much this tournament and a match winning performance is due.
