Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked Afghanistan’s potent spin-bowling lineup as their strength heading into the much-awaited Asia Cup 2023. It will be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17 as well. Afghanistan are placed alongside Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Group B and they will begin their campaign in the tournament against Bangladesh in Lahore on Sunday, September 3.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “Their bowling is always good. If they get a slightly spin-friendly wicket, they keep you in check and open you up as well. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan will be all over you like a rash. If the pitch is assisting spin even more, you might also see Noor Ahmad in the team. If they play Noor Ahmad, then 10 overs each for him, Rashid, Nabi and Mujeeb – they will not let you breathe if they get a spin-friendly pitch.”
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However, Rashid Khan has scalped 170 wickets in 87 ODI innings and has an excellent economy rate of 4.15. While Mujeeb Ur Rahman has claimed 91 dismissals in 64 games, Mohammad Nabi has picked up 154 wickets in 145 matches, with both of them having an economy rate of a little over four as well.
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“You might see a slight weakness in fast bowling. Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls very well otherwise but there has been an issue at times when he has had to bowl 10 overs. So that is going to remain slightly 50-50. Batting lets them down. If you see the last series, they had Pakistan on the mat on more than one occasion but they got stuck in batting. The team looks good when you hear their names and if they are able to bat well and get spin-friendly wickets, they will take your lives,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
