World T20 team guide: Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Group: India, South Africa

Pedigree: None. This is the first time they have qualified for a major tournament.

Star man: Averaging more than 50 in ODIs, and with two first-class hundreds to his name, Noor Ali is the star of Afghan cricket. Only 21, he lit up the qualifying stages as Afganistan stormed through to the tournament in the West Indies.

One to watch: The rising star of the Afghan team is Mohammad Shahzad. The teenage wicketkeeper-batsman has hit hundreds in two of his four ODIs to date and has picked up a couple of Twenty20 fifties too.

Strengths: Afghanistan have nothing to fear – and boy do they play like it. They go about Twenty20 as it was supposed to be played, hitting hard from the start and playing with freedom.

Weaknesses: Lack of experience, proven quality and battle-hardened players top a huge list of reasons why they won’t progress.

Chances: None. It’s hard to see them even making an impression on either India or South Africa. But they lit up the qualifying tournament and have plenty of guys capable of clearing the boundary.

Best odds: 1000/1 with Skybet and Coral

Prediction: Last place. By a long shot.

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