‘Firstly, bat first’: Patwal

Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi during their match against West Indies in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, on Monday. Pic/Getty Images

Former Afghanistan batting coach Umesh Patwal has said that batting will be a major concern for the Afghans during their Super 8 game against former T20 world champions India.

Mumbai-based Patwal also reckoned that India will have a huge advantage considering their batters' ability to counter spinners with ease.

104-run defeat to WI

After a huge 104-run defeat to West Indies at St Lucia on Tuesday, leg-spinner Rashid Khan's team will face Rohit Sharma & Co at Bridgetown on Thursday.

"They [Afghanistan] never chase big totals in ODIs, so it could be a new challenge for them [in T20]. Batting is a major weakness. Afghanistan's think-tank will need to have a plan if the opposing team cross 160 to 180," Patwal told mid-day on Tuesday.

Patwal, who also guided Nepal as their batting coach, felt Afghan batters succumb to pressure like they did against the West Indies who bowled them out for 114 in 16.2 overs after posting 218-5.

Umesh Patwal

‘Need to bat well'

"They were pressurised when teams scored big against them like what happened against West Indies today [Tuesday]. In such situations, they fail to build momentum. If they bat well then they can do something while bowling second. But if the opponent score more than 150, they will struggle," he explained.

If Afghanistan want to keep their hopes alive in the tournament, Patwal suggested that his former team bat first against India and try build pressure. "They will have to bat first, get whatever score they reach and then put India under pressure by taking some crucial wickets. I hope they will bat first be it against India or Australia," Patwal remarked.

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Afghanistan's key spinner Rashid was hammered by the West Indies - 45 runs in four overs and went wicketless. Their bowling attack will also depend on left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad. "Their [Afghanistan] bowling attack will be more concerned about Farooqi and Noor. If they struggle to get wickets, India will have no trouble," said Patwal. He however, doesn't see India being troubled by Noor. "India have Kuldeep Yadav and know what it takes to combat such bowlers. They face Kuldeep in the nets while teams like Australia and Bangladesh [in India's group] don't have a left-arm wrist spinner. Plus, Kuldeep is far more experienced than Noor. So, that's an advantage India have against Australia and Bangladesh," Patwal signed off.

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