World T20 qualifiers Group B guide: Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan

Sport360 staff 21:31 07/03/2016
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  • The World Twenty20 has arrived and here is your one-stop guide to Group B’s teams, who are fighting for a place in the main competition.

    The preliminary round starts on Tuesday, with Bangladesh and Afghanistan favourites to join the big eight teams in the Super 10 group stage.

    ZIMBABWE

    Can Zimbabwe shake their tag as perennial underachievers?

    Giant Slayers

    The world’s biggest cricketing stage certainly won’t faze Zimbabwe.

    The African side have presided over some of the biggest shocks in international cricket history in years gone by – think back to their Duncan Fletcher-inspired victory over Australia in the 50-over extravaganza in England in 1983, their win against England in 1992 while in the 1999 edition Zimbabwe progressed to the Super Six stage at the expense of you guessed it, hosts England.

    Then in the inaugural T20 showpiece event in 2007, Zimbabwe defeated the might of Australia, with Brendan Taylor, who will be sorely missed in India weighing in with a sizeable contribution with the bat.

    They seem to enjoy the challenge of facing the big boys.

    And despite losing five out of six group matches in last year’s 50-over carnival Down Under, Zimbabwe came close to beating both Pakistan and West Indies; something which has been a familar trait – close but not close enough.

    Zimbabwe’s form has been mixed coming into the tournament and they don’t really have that extra bit of quality to mount a serious challenge, but can, on their day, be a menacing outfit to face.

    And in T20s, that is always a distinct possibility.

    STRENGTHS

    The return of fitagain fast bowler Tendai Chatara and experienced Tinashe Panyangara is a boost while
    the appointment of South African legend Makhaya Ntini as bowling coach is a shrewd move given his status in the international game. New captain Hamilton Masakadza should give the side a new lease of life on the field and is bang in form with the bat, having blasted 162 in domestic cricket last month.

    WEAKNESSES

    With no real star quality with either bat or ball, they will have to rely on individual brilliance from somewhere to get past the qualifying stages. Zimbabwe tend to struggle with inconsistency and repeat performances, which was evident in their recent T20 series draw with Bangladesh. Slow pitches in India are not ready-made for their medium-paced bowling options and there is a genuine lack of depth in their 15-man squad.

    STAR MAN
    ELTON CHIGUMBURA

    Chigumbura resigned from the Twenty20 captaincy to decrease his workload but struggled for form in three outings for the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League recently. However, the 29-year-old has great experience having played nearly 250 international matches across formats and he can lead by example on the field.

    SCOTLAND

    Talking tough.

    Talking tough.

    Confidence, at least on the face of it, is high in the Scotland camp. Captain Preston Mommsen and New Zealand coach Grant Bradburn have been talking up their chances of progressing in the tournament and even causing a shock to one of the established nations.

    Their inner-belief stems from the fact this is largely the same group of players who were at the 50-over showpiece event in New Zealand and Australia and have that international tournament experience to take
    forward. The opening match against Afganistan on March 8 is of particular interest to the Scots as they admit they are seeking revenage for their defeat in Dunedin last year where they had the Afghans at 132-8 only to fall to defeat with three balls to spare.

    Since Bradburn took over in April 2014, T20 results have been mixed with six wins from 10 completed matches. Among the four losses was a heavy nine-wicket defeat to group rivals Hong Kong in January and
    although Scotland replied with a 37-run triumph the following day, it does show there isn’t a great deal between the sides.

    There does seem to be camaraderie, experience and belief within the camp that they can make an impact. It’s time to start walking the walk.

    STRENGTHS

    A settled squad who all know their roles and with all 15 members capped at international level none should be daunted by the challenge that lies ahead. Bradburn has also instilled an attacking ethos in the team, both with the ball and bat that should serve them well. They have a nice blend of solidity at the crease in Kyle
    Coetzer and Matt Machan mixed with some big-hitting via Matthew Cross and captain Preston Mommsen.

    WEAKNESSES

    With an average age of 26.1 they are the youngest Associate side in the competition which could be a help or a hindrance, only time will tell. Their seam heavy attack is perfect for conditions at home but with the turning subcontinental pitches there is considerable pressure on teenage spinner Mark Watt, who took five wickets in Dubai against the Netherlands but is largely alien to these conditions on a consistent basis.

    STAR MAN
    MATT MACHAN

    The Brighton-born batsman enjoyed a fine season at the crease for Sussex last year and will be expected to anchor the Scotland innings at No4 with his stroke-playing and first-class experience. Suffered a bit of a blip with four non-descript scores at the start of the year but his measured 43 in Dubai against the Netherlands showed what the 25-year-old is capable of.

    HONG KONG

    High Hopes.

    High Hopes.

    The Associate side arrives in India on the back of a disappointing Asia Cup qualifying campaign failing to win any of their three games. But they certainly have the potential to give rivals a headache. Their recent results prove that.

    Since July last year, Hong Kong have beaten stronger teams like Ireland and Scotland while also defeating Afghanistan twice in this format.

    Add to that a Bangladesh triumph, their biggest victory in their history back in the 2014 edition of the Twenty20 tournament, even if it was a consolation, and it is clear Tanwir Afzal’s men will certainly be no pushovers.

    Seven of those players who played against Bangladesh two years ago are named in coach Simon Cook’s squad with the Englishman keeping the core of that unit.

    At his disposal is young batsman Mark Chapman, who scored a century on his ODI debut against the UAE in November, while Babar Hayat is also a potent weapon, striking a ton against Oman in the Asia Cup.

    Also in the mix is former Australian batsman Ryan Campbell aged 44. With Scotland, Zimbabwe and Afganistan in their qualifying group, the odds are stacked against Hong Kong.

    But with no pressure, they might cause problems.

    STRENGTHS

    The fact that players are used to the shortest form of the game will work in their favour and their experience of
    playing in Bangladesh in the Asia Cup qualifiers, where conditions will likely be similar in India, will be no doubt useful. But most importantly, the side have individuals with the likes of Babar Hayat, Mark Chapman and Tanwir Afazal who can frustrate their opponents.

    WEAKNESSES

    As with any Associate team, Hong Kong come into the tournament lacking experience on the big stage. Their director of cricket, Charlie Burke feels two areas need to be addressed in particular – confidence levels and missed opportunities to put their opponents under pressure during power-play.

    STAR MAN
    MARK CHAPMAN

    At 21, is already considered a star of tomorrow. He is one of 10 players, and first from an Associate side, to score a ODI century on his debut when his side played the UAE in November. He isn’t short on confidence either, top-scoring with 157 for Auckland in the 50-over Ford Trophy game in January. The stage is set to showcase his skills to the world.

    AFGHANISTAN

    A brash bunch.

    A brash bunch.

    For all the excitement they generate with their brand of cricket, their record in the tournament is abysmal.

    With just one victory from seven games in three appearances, the Afghans have the poorest winning percentage (14.28) amongst all teams.

    They appeared to have turned a corner with their two Twenty20 series victories against Zimbabwe in October and January but their failure to make the cut in the Asia Cup, losing to the UAE, has pegged back the recent gains.

    It is this unpredictability that the Afghans will be wary of when they head for the first round and bid to make their maiden entry into the Super 10.

    They have the luck of the draw in the preliminary round as they are drawn alongside Hong Kong, Oman and Zimbabwe, all teams they have won against in the build-up to the tournament.

    The group topper will advance to the Super 10 where they will be part of Group 1 featuring the West Indies, England, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

    Afghanistan cannot afford to let their guard down at least in the first round as Zimbabwe and the fast-improving Oman are potential banana skins. A good display initially will help them gain confidence to challenge the might of the bigger teams, if they progress further.

    STRENGTHS

    The pace pack of Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran and Hameed Hassan has the potential to create havoc on any surface. All three can clock speeds in excess of 140kph, adding potency to their bowling. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad, who opens the innings, is dynamite at the top of the order. Spin bowling all-rounders, Karim Sadiq, Samiullah Shenwari and Mohammad Nabi complete their strong batting line-up.

    WEAKNESSES

    Their inability to maintain a cool head in crunch situations makes them vulnerable when pitted against bigger teams. It is often the batsmen who lose their composure, especially against the spinners. It puts additional burden on captain Ashgar Stanikzai, who unlike his teammates, adopts a patient approach while accumulating the runs. Fielding is another cause for concern with their sloppiness often costing them dear.

    STAR MAN
    MOHAMMAD NABI

    The 31-year-old has been central to Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket. A useful middle-order batsman, Nabi is equally an effective off-spinner. He is one of the most experienced cricketers in the line-up having plied his trade in Twenty20 leagues around the world. His recent showing in the Pakistan Super League when he smashed 30 runs off 12 balls to help Quetta Gladiators script a stunning victory against Lahore Qalandars should give him the confidence to pull off similar feats in India.

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