Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea, 29th Match, Group C - Live

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• Fantasy Handbook: Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea, 29th Match, T20 World Cup, 2024

19:40 Local Time, 23:40 GMT, 05:10 IST: 

Afghanistan are on the cusp of history. They thrashed New Zealand and watched the West Indies do the same thing yesterday. That result has all but cleared the path for them to go past the league phase of an ICC tournament for the first time in their history. They have two shots at doing so, but everyone will agree that tonight's is their best bet. Their opponents today are Papua New Guinea, a team that's shown plenty of spunk and attitude, but haven't been able to convert it into a win. The game against Uganda was perhaps their best chance and they would be hurt at not turning up for that match. But take them lightly at your own peril and Afghanistan would be the last team to take their foot off the gas. Toss and team news coming up shortly..

Preview

Afghanistan's rise to world cricket started on the back of an age-old formula. Bat first, bat big and then use the scoreboard pressure to squeeze out the opposition. Over the years, cricket evolved and T20 specifically has had a chasing bias to it in recent years. But the cliched route worked for Afghanistan thanks to the arsenal of spinners they have at their disposal. However, in the two games this tournament, it's been the new-ball bursts from Fazalhaq Farooqui that have dismantled Afghanistan's opponents, setting it up for the spinners to complete the wreckage.

Such has been Afghanistan's dominance that in both their wins, their top-scorer Rahmanullah Gurbaz (76 and 80) has single-handedly outscored their opponents collective totals. The enormity of these victory margins means that Afghanistan are all but through to the Super 8s, given their impregnable net run rate. However, a win here would put the rubber stamp on matters and as such, Afghanistan look primed to achieve the same. On the other hand, PNG has endured contrasting fortunes so far.

They punched way above their weight in the opening fixture against West Indies, dragging the tournament hosts close before falling short. It was an impressive show from the underdogs but they followed that up by botching up against Uganda in a low-scoring encounter where PNG were expected to be the stronger of the two sides. Batting fragility is the major concern for them and against Afghanistan's potent bowling attack, things are only bound to get tougher.

When:

13 June 2024 | 8.30 PM local time | 00:30 GMT (June 14) | 6 AM IST (June 14)

Where: 

Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad

What to expect: 

If the West Indies-New Zealand game is any indication, a sporting surface is in the offing with a bit in it for everyone. There could be extra bounce and some movement on offer while spin could also play a role. The easy-paced nature means that batters are also in the game if they can apply themselves.

Team watch:

Afghanistan

With everything gelling well, Afghanistan's only real concern is regarding the fitness of Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. Skipper Rashid Khan mentioned at the toss in the previous game that his spin partner's hand injury has been a recurring theme, keeping him in and out of the side. If fit, Mujeeb should slot in for Noor Ahmad.

Tactics and matchups: 

Since 2021, night games in Tarouba has had an increasing bias to fast bowlers who have picked up 21 of the 34 wickets to fall. Afghanistan won't mind it, given the form of Farooqui and Naveen-ul-Haq this year. In 2024, Naveen-ul-Haq (44) and Farooqui (36) have the most wickets in T20 cricket for Afghanistan with Rashid at third spot.

Probable XI: 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad/Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqui

Papua New Guinea
There are no injury concerns in the PNG camp but they might ponder about making a change or two, given the successive defeats.

Tactics and matchups: 

While Farooqui has been a huge threat with the new ball in both of Afghanistan's games so far, PNG's batters have generally had a positive match up against left-arm pace. Tony Ura (145), Charles Amini (136) and Lega Siaka (136) have solid strike-rates while Assad Vala (106) has also been solid although his scoring rate has been on the slower side

Probable XI: 

Assad Vala(c), Tony Ura, Sese Bau, Lega Siaka, Hiri Hiri, Charles Amini, Kiplin Doriga(wk), Chad Soper, Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, John Kariko

Did you know?

Six of Rahmanullah Gurbaz's seven fifty-plus scores since 2022 have come batting first. There is also a considerable dip in strike rates, 149 batting first against 125 batting second.

Afghanistan and Papua New Guinea have only faced each other once, back in 2015, in a game that was won by the former

Who said what
"As the tournament goes on, we need to take chances, we need to be at our best. We need to adapt quickly as possible in different grounds we play on." - Assad Vala hopes for his batters to put on a stronger show

"You have to encourage the bowlers, as a wicketkeeper, my job is to keep everyone active on the ground. I try to give some energy to the bowlers as well." - Rahmanullah Gurbaz speaks about the vibe he wants to create as a wicketkeeper

Squads:

Papua New Guinea Squad: 

Assad Vala(c), Tony Ura, Sese Bau, Lega Siaka, Hiri Hiri, Charles Amini, Kiplin Doriga(w), Chad Soper, Norman Vanua, Alei Nao, John Kariko, Kabua Morea, Semo Kamea, Jack Gardner, Hila Vare

Afghanistan Squad: 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan(c), Karim Janat, Gulbadin Naib, Najibullah Zadran, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Ishaq, Nangeyalia Kharote