NEW DELHI: A defeat can hurt a team. A loss after a double Super Over can empty it. Afghanistan now faces the difficult task of mentally recovering after their heartbreaking loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad, as they take on the United Arab Emirates in a must-win T20 World Cup Group D clash here on Monday. Two defeats in as many games have left Afghanistan’s hopes hanging by a thread. Even if they are favorites to win their remaining matches against the United Arab Emirates and Canada, their fate is no longer entirely in their hands. A New Zealand victory over Canada the next day would seal their exit from Afghanistan.Go beyond the limits with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!This precarious situation contrasts with the progress that Afghanistan has made in recent years. A semi-final appearance in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup and a spirited performance in the ODI World Cup in 2023 underlined his rise.
Rashid Khan remains the sport’s leading T20 spinner, Mujeeb Ur Rahman brings mystery to the fold, Azmatullah Omarzai is a genuine all-round force, Ibrahim Zadran offers them stability with the bat. Zadran’s starting partner Rahmanullah Gurbaz can single-handedly turn games around, and old warhorse Mohammad Nabi is still up for a joust.On paper, it is a lineup capable of challenging any side. Experts advised them to at least make the Super Eights, if not go deeper. However, they still have to bring their best level to this tournament. Afghanistan will especially look to Zadran to rediscover form. Often the perfect complement to striker Gurbaz, Zadran’s role as anchor takes on added importance in the high-pressure environment of a World Cup, where stability can be as valuable as aggression.While the role of the conventional presenter in T20 cricket may be fading, Zadran has shown signs of evolving with the format. However, this campaign has produced modest results (22 runs in two innings) and Afghanistan will hope for a stronger performance at the top.History, however, offers solace to Afghanistan. They have an 11-3 win-loss record over the United Arab Emirates.By contrast, the United Arab Emirates come into the match with renewed confidence following their victory over Canada, achieved at the same Arun Jaitley Stadium that will host the remaining group stage matches. Familiarity with the conditions could be an advantage, but the path to qualification is much more complicated. They also depend on Canada defeating New Zealand and winning victories over Afghanistan and South Africa on Wednesday. Even that may not be enough unless they significantly improve their net run rate, which currently trails New Zealand’s by a considerable margin.Their hopes would depend on the bully Sohaib Khan. Born in Gaya, Bihar, and educated at Jamia Millia Islamia College in Delhi, the UAE batsman showcased his destructive ability against Canada with a 29-ball 51 that changed the momentum of the game. The United Arab Emirates will once again look to him for inspiration.