Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 42 – Afghanistan v West Indies Dream11. AFG vs WI Preview Dream11 Prediction

Two sides that had much optimism associated with them before the tournament began have just one win between them. It is safe to say things haven’t gone quite as planned. The Finalists of the World Cup Qualifier in 2018 meet in a game where eyes are on the future.

What can we say about Afghanistan? They could – and probably should – have three wins in this World Cup. The latest missed opportunity was a heartbreaking three-wicket loss to Pakistan, where skipper Gulbadin Naib played a key role in the defeat. This was the latest episode in a string of poor decisions that has crippled Afghanistan’s campaign, where team politics and poor strategy can actually threaten future progress. Can they end their campaign with a win?

Also read: What on EARTH was Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib thinking?

West Indies have been mighty disappointing. With big-name players on deck and a nothing-to-lose attitude, West Indies were considered a danger side by many. However, it hasn’t materialised, winless since their first up thrashing of Pakistan back on June 1. The latest disappointment was a loss to Sri Lanka, but Nicholas Pooran was the shining light, giving us all a glimpse into a positive-looking future.

Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version. For full screenshots, click here.

Key to an Afghanistan win

Afghanistan have fought well with the bat in recent matches. Three 200+ totals in a row has been a positive change after some low scores early in the tournament. However, the difficulty they have faced in converting starts has hurt them, with a number of batsmen getting out when set. This experience can certainly hold Afghanistan in good stead, but to win here, they need the likes of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi to play significant knocks to set a very strong platform for Afghanistan.

Also, Afghanistan’s spin attack is considered a strong one, and they have shown why in recent games. With conditions offering spin in Leeds last week in their tight loss to Pakistan, Afghanistan’s spinners have a great opportunity to target a Windies batting lineup that has struggled to bat with the fight and discipline needed at times to succeed. However, Afghanistan will be hoping Mujeeb ur Rahman is fit after hobbling off with a foot problem against Pakistan.

Key to a West Indies win

West Indies’ bowling has been one-dimensional in CWC 2019. Focused heavily on the short ball, they have been unable to provide answers when batting sides pose questions, which has been a significant reason they sit where they are. Will we see a few more salutes from Sheldon Cottrell? Can Oshane Thomas discover the form he had at the start of the tournament? If Afghanistan batsmen do manage to make starts, can the Windies cut their innings short? The short ball can be a good avenue, but its the pressure the Windies build that will also be key.

In a turn of events, Chris Gayle is set to play on after the World Cup. However, can he lighten things up in his final World Cup appearance? It will be a challenge against Afghanistan’s spinners, but if Gayle gets going, we could see something like what Eoin Morgan did. Also, more is needed from Shai Hope, who has been bowled three times in a row. He can be the glue of this lineup, and with Nicholas Pooran playing beautifully, West Indies can set things up for the likes of Shimron Hetmyer to go hard.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch for the Afghanistan-Pakistan game was conducive to spin bowling. It could be the case again. The weather forecast is mostly sunny.

Possible Playing 11

The fitness of Mujeeb ur Rahman is something to keep an eye on after hobbling off the field at the back end of Pakistan’s run chase. Also, Afghanistan sent in Ikram Ali Khil at four against Pakistan but couldn’t score very freely.

Also read: What on EARTH was Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib thinking?

Afghanistan: 1. Rahmat Shah, 2. Gulbadin Naib (c), 3. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 4. Asghar Afghan, 5. Najibullah Zadran, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Samiullah Shenwari, 8. Ikram Ali Khil (wk), 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Sayed Shirzad, 11. Mujeeb ur Rahman

Kemar Roach could come back into the side after missing the Sri Lanka game with illness. Also, Evin Lewis could return from injury.

West Indies: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. Evin Lewis/Sunil Ambris, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Nicholas Pooran, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Jason Holder (c), 7. Carlos Brathwaite, 8. Fabian Allen, 9. Kemar Roach, 10. Oshane Thomas, 11. Sheldon Cottrell

Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version. For full screenshots, click here.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• This will be the first World Cup meeting between the sides.
• Afghanistan have won three of the last four ODIs against West Indies, including two in the World Cup Qualifier in 2018.
• Rashid Khan’s best ODI figures came against West Indies. He took 7/18 in 2017.

Match Prediction

Tough game to predict. This might very well depend on the toss and conditions (how much the ball turns), where the team batting first will win.

I like Afghanistan in this one. They have been coming close, and this could be their time.

Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version. For full screenshots, click here.

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