Come June, international cricket's newbies Afghanistan will kick off their campaign in the 2019 ICC World Cup in England. Ranked 10, Afghanistan will be playing in only their second World Cup. They might be short on experience in cricket's marquee event but they are a powerhouse of talent. Their base away from home is India and it is no surprise that they announced Asia's largest dairy cooperative Amul as the team's principal sponsor in the World Cup.
Afghanistan will play warm-up matches against Pakistan and England on May 24 and 27. It will kick off its World Cup campaign against Australia on June 1.
Chairman of selectors of Afghanistan Cricket Board—Dawlat Khan Ahmadzai— said that the team was aiming for a top-four finish. "We are looking to reach the semifinals. Our team is practising for the World Cup for the last six months," he said, to a huge round of applause from the team's supporters present on the occasion.
Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Asadullah Khan and 18-year-old off spin sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who played in the IPL 2019 playing for Kings XI Punjab, were also present.
The maximum queries were on the change in captaincy just ahead of the World Cup. Gulbadin Naib replaced Asghar Afghan as the skipper when the World Cup squad was announced last month. This evoked sharp reactions from two key players in the team—leg spinner Rashid Khan who has been named vice-captain and all-rounder Mohammed Nabi.
"The top management wanted a change in captaincy,” Ahmadzai said. “There must have been reasons why we took such a decision—keeping the betterment of the team in mind; we did not have individuals in mind. We are hopeful of good results. We are looking for the future and had to go for the transition phase. No captain can win us a World Cup now but we have to think of the next four years. We have to play 10 matches with pool members. We can best train a captain better in these matches for the next four years."
He stressed that Naib had everybody's support, including that of his predecessor Asghar Afghan, who led the team to Test status and helmed its first Test victory against Ireland. "Gulbadin said he will make use of Asghar's experience. The team environment is perfect. Changes do happen. Like Sri Lanka did with their captaincy. Everyone takes his own decision."
He underlined Naib's experience as captain though he has not led Afghanistan in an international match. "Gulbadin has captained regional teams in domestic cricket and first-class matches at the U-19 level. He's quite experienced as a leader. Rashid and Mohammed Nabi criticised the decision. That was their personal feeling. Nothing serious. They handled it professionally. Gulbadin is not a new man. He has been playing for the last 17 years and is a good friend of both Rashid and Nabi," Ahmadzai said.
The Afghan selectors have gone for split captaincy, handing over the reigns of T20 captaincy to Rashid Khan. "Rashid was not ready for all formats. He's ready for T20. He's too busy," said the chief selector.
The other big question that Ahmadzai faced was over the selection of fast bowler Hamid Hassan in the World Cup squad. Hassan has not played an ODI match since June 2016. He has suffered injuries in the last two years and his fitness will be put to test in the World Cup. However, the plus point is that Hassan has the experience of playing in a World Cup—in 2015, he took eight wickets in five matches. Dispelling doubts over Hassan's fitness, Ahmadzai said, "He's been with the team for the last six months and has been training and practising regularly. He bowled in South Africa. He's completely fit."
Ahmadzai said the bowling department is capable of thriving in English conditions at the World Cup. "Rashid and Mujeeb did well in county cricket. Hameed's return will significantly improve our pace attack."
Meanwhile, Asadullah Khan said, "This is the first time we will play in the World Cup as a full member and the preparations are good. We hope to do well."