Afghanistan have got better, despite themselves
The Afghans shifted their captain, have fallen out behind the scenes and yet have come so close to taking large scalps. It begs the question’what would they have attained atop perfect unity?’ They’ve suffered eight straight defeats yet there is something noteworthy about this Afghan side. They were nowhere in world cricket a decade ago and have climbed the rankings to take their chair at the table. From the next World Cup in India they will probably be much more of a force.
They took down India, were on the verge of victory against Pakistan in their final game and all of their nearlies came after being chased for 17 sixes by England captain Eoin Morgan. They’ve stuck to their task, seem to be learning courses and will ultimnately be better for the experience. When in the heat of battle they’ve dropped the one percenters, shown their inexperience and failed to get over the line. But they are getting closer.
Inexperienced skipper Gulbadin Naib has made a few poor decisions and they input their final game desperate to take a victory home. Mohammad Nabi (9) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (7) have set the highly regarded Rashid Khan (5) in the colour and may play a huge part at a Headingley that took spin last time out.
It might have been so much different for West Indies
West Indies have one win and a no response from their eight games. That win came into their opening game against Pakistan and many people’s (including mine) pre-tournament outside choices to reach the semi-finals have disappointed. When they’d taken advantage of dominating the early phases against Australia, if Carlos Brathwaite’s breathtaking century hadn’t dropped inches short of beating New Zealand, if the rain had not intervened if they were on top against South Africa, if they had batted marginally better against Sri Lanka – well you get the picture – it is so near and yet so far.
Sheldon Cottrell was a star on and off the pitch with 12 wickets and as numerous salutes in eight games. Captain Jason Holder and young fast bowler Oshane Thomas have eight wickets apiece. They have been a bit one-dimensional within the field.
Nobody would begrudge the Afghans their triumph
There’s just no way Afghanistan should be priced as rank outsiders at 4.50 from a West Indies side which have only ever beaten them once in five attempts. They met twice in the qualification tournament for this World Cup in which the Afghans won by three wickets and seven wickets.Hashmatullah Shahidi (197) is 4/1, Najubullah Zadran (199) 11/1 and Rahmat Shah (192) 7/2 are Afghanistan’s top run-scorers at a marketplace for Best Afghanistan Batsman which is remarkably open. Hazratullah Zazai has yet to arrive at the party and may be a drama at 7/2. But the worth people with Najubullah using a half-stakes nibble at 11/1.
Goodbye Universe Boss
Chris Gayle will perform would be last World Cup innings for West Indies at Headingley and if you like the fairytale ending story he’s 13/5 to be his side’s top scorer, but wouldn’t be my drama.
Nicholas Pooran is a youngster who will be the bedrock of his nation’s batting for some time and his 118 from 103 balls against Sri Lanka showed why Yorkshire have signed him to play during this summer’s T20 Blast. So he’ll walk out in his new county home floor intent on adding to his 309 World Cup runs. Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope all bring adequate credentials but Pooran is the play at an incredibly generous 6/1.
Man of the Match markets interesting
The Man of the Match markets have provided excellent value for a couple of entertaining nibbles throughout the tournament. Decide on a couple players with the capacity of swinging the game and play half-stakes. My three to get this one, avoiding the above picks in the top batting order markets to cover more bases, are Chris Gayle 7/1, Shimron Hetmyer 12/1 and Rashid Khan 12/1.
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