By Mikey Godsmark
After a day in which you couldn’t help but feel for Ireland
and the Netherlands as they were both knocked out having only played one match,
we can only hope that rain does show its head tomorrow.
Afghanistan
v Zimbabwe
It’s a hard life for associate nations but it is at least
partially rewarded with matches such as this for Afghanistan. Pure and simple,
whoever plays will go through the loser goes home. The stakes are high.
Afghanistan come off the back of a very comfortable win against Hong Kong who
never scored nearly enough as they got less than 120. Nabi and Rashid Khan
bowled well, especially Nabi who took for wickets and went for less than six
runs an over. Rashid looks like a really hot prospect for the future, the 17
year old has benefited from the structure that Afghanistan Cricket Board has
put in place. Shahzad looked in good shape (his batting anyway) as he hit a
mature 41 off 40 balls which was very useful under the circumstances.
Zimbabwe must improve from the T20I series against
Afghanistan after being obliterated my Shahzad in the second match. However,
they have looked consistent so far and against Scotland they were very
impressive. They looked to have mastered how to bowl in the powerplay as they
restricted Hong Kong runs wise and took wickets off Scotland with Wellington Masakadza
taking four wickets. Sean Williams was also impressive and is Hamilton can
avoid getting run out in increasingly bizarre circumstances, who knows what he
could do. However Afghanistan are yet to reach their peak and if they do,
Zimbabwe will lose.
Prediction:
Afghanistan Win
Hong Kong v
Scotland
Just three days into the tournament both Hong Kong and
Scotland were out, thanks for coming see you in three years, actually you can’t
qualify, four years time it is then. The match is still in front of the cameras
and both sides will want to go out on top. Scotland will be especially
desperate; they still haven’t won a match at a world tournament and this is a
duck they will be desperate to break, they may not get a better chance than
against Hong Kong who have to be considered the weakest side in the group. If
they are to win their batting line up must show more resilience than last time
out.
Hong Kong have also been let down by their batting over
their two matches. Ryan Campbell has not merited his inclusion in the side and
if it wasn’t for his useful off spin there would be no doubt that his place
should have gone to a players who has learnt his cricket in Hong Kong. After
they posted such a paltry score on Thursday, there was nothing that the bowlers
could do to defend it. Despite this, the attack of Scotland has looked far from
menacing this tournament and Hong Kong will fancy their chances of denying
Scotland that elusive win
Prediction: Hong Kong
Win
Photo Credit: nbcnews.com
Comments
Post a Comment