Rain threat looms over lopsided India vs Afghanistan quarter-final
The gulf between India and Afghanistan during the recent bilateral T20I series – which India won 3-0 – was a further vindication of India’s dominance in the format and why they are world champions. It may not have reflected Afghanistan’s pedigree in the format, but it showed the gaps they still have to make up […]
The India vs Afghanistan quarter-final, set to take place in Japan, is marred by a significant disparity in form and experience between the two teams. India, victorious in the recent three-match T20I series, boast a squad of seasoned players who are world champions in the format. In contrast, Afghanistan has fielded a largely inexperienced team, including six uncapped players and five others with limited international appearances.
The squad features only two retained members, Darwish Rasooli and Abdollah Ahmadzai, from the tour that India won 3-0. Afghanistan's combined T20I experience of 262 matches is only 30% of India's 872 games. With no Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, or Mohammad Nabi in the squad, Hassan Eisakhel, son of Mohammad Nabi, is the only notable family connection.
India's decision to send their strongest possible side, despite a calendar clash with their ODI series against West Indies, aims to secure their second consecutive gold medal. Afghanistan's inclusion of a second-string squad may be an attempt to rest their key players, given their upcoming Test against Bangladesh on October 9. The Indian team, plagued by injuries, recently saw Washington Sundar return to action, while Pakistan bowling allrounder Ismat Alam, with impressive domestic form, might see some game time.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
