UAE could spoil Afghanistan's party

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UAE could spoil Afghanistans party
Rohan Mustafa has 11 wickets so far, but hasn't done too well with the bat outside of the 95 he scored against PNG.

Harare - Afghanistan's batting has been a concern for them throughout the tournament

By KT Report

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Published: Mon 19 Mar 2018, 9:14 PM

Last updated: Mon 19 Mar 2018, 11:27 PM

Both Afghanistan and the UAE were a part of the last ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015, but while UAE are already out of the race for a spot in the 2019 edition, Afghanistan are still in the hunt, if only just.
Afghanistan won their first Super Sixes clash against West Indies but had carried no points into the round from the group stage and consequently sit in fifth spot on the table with two points.
The UAE also came in with zero points and lost to Scotland in their first Super Sixes clash, and are bottom of the table. They have matches against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe (four points). But, if they do beat Afghanistan, it will end the campaign for the Afghans, and that's what UAE must be aiming for.
Afghanistan, who had a nervy run into the Super Sixes, getting there only because Nepal defeated Hong Kong in the last league game of Group B, have given themselves a fresh lease of life with a three-wicket win over the Windies.
However, Afghanistan's batting has been a concern for them throughout the tournament.
Going into this game, Afghanistan will have to reflect on that aspect of their game and ensure that a good platform is laid for the middle-order to capitalise on and for the bowlers to have something to play with.
The problems for the UAE have chiefly been with the ball. While Rohan Mustafa picked up 4/56 in their last outing against Scotland, he did not get much support from the others and Scotland put up a big total of 322/6. Eventually, the UAE fell short by 73 runs even though Mohammad Usman scored a gritty 91-ball 80. They have also had to deal with sickness, forcing them to drop three frontline players in the first Super Six match against Scotland in Bulawayo.
UAE's new-ball bowlers, Mohammad Naveed and Zahoor Khan, conceded in excess of eight runs per over against Scotland and gave them the opportunity to run away with the game. With Afghanistan's top order not in the best of form, this is UAE's best chance to lift their game with the ball and hurt the opposition.
Rohan Mustafa has 11 wickets so far, but hasn't done too well with the bat outside of the 95 he scored against PNG
A partly cloudy day is expected in Harare on Tuesday with temperatures in the mid-20s.
 


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