India ‘will not take Afghanistan lightly’
India coach Rahul Dravid warned his side will “not take Afghanistan lightly” in their second-round opener of the T20 World Cup in Barbados.
India were unbeaten in the initial pool phase as they advanced into Super Eights featuring two groups of four.
Afghanistan, however, have also justified their billing as potential semi-finalists.
On Monday, they had already qualified for the Super Eights before an emphatic 104-run defeat by a rampant West Indies in St Lucia in a clash of previously unbeaten teams, with Nicholas Pooran smashing 98 for the tournament co-hosts.
But Afghanistan did inflict an 84-run hammering upon New Zealand earlier in the competition.
And with India having needed two Super Overs to see off Afghanistan in a T20 match in Bengaluru in January, Dravid is well aware of the challenge awaiting his players at the Kensington Oval.
“We know Afghanistan is a very dangerous team in this game format,” former India batsman Dravid, 51 told a pre-match press conference.
“They have shown that by their performances in this World Cup.
“They might not have a lot of international experience in the other formats of the game, but a lot of their players do play in many T20 leagues, more than some of our players do.
“So, they are not a team to be taken lightly in this format. They are deservedly in the Super Eights.”
Much of Afghanistan’s success has been built on superb spin bowling, with Rashid Khan — who took four wickets for 17 runs against New Zealand in Guyana — leading the way.
But that match also saw left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi take 4-17, with New Zealand dismissed for just 75.
“They have a good bowling attack all around,” said Dravid.
“Even their two pacers are quite experienced. Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq have both played a lot of cricket, tand hey both swing the ball
“I think their bowlers are some of the most sought-after in this format worldwide.
“We understand that is going to pose a challenge, and we will have to play well to counter that.”
Meanwhile, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott insisted Pooran’s furious assault could benefit his side against India.
“Pooran played a great knock,” said the former England batsman.
“But other sides will have players of that caliber, who can win matches like Pooran on their day. So, I think it’s a good thing that it’s happened.
“We’ve learned lessons and will put that right starting tomorrow (Thursday).”
Trott added the advent of T20 franchise cricket, spearheaded by the Indian Premier League, had led to improved relations between players that were “obviously very different from when I played.”
But the 43-year-old said the knowledge gained “works both ways.”
“We had nine, 10 players at the IPL. They will be able to share their knowledge of Indian players, and they’ll be able to do the same with our players,” explained Trott. “That’s the current state of world cricket.
“I think it’s in a good position and very healthy. And we’re in the middle of a World Cup, and we’re in Barbados, so the world’s pretty good.”
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