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In the world of cricket, three teams often go unnoticed by the mainstream audience but have been steadily making progress and could potentially make a significant impact on the global stage. These teams are Afghanistan, the Netherlands, and Nepal. Each of them has its unique strengths and weaknesses, but they share a common goal of competing at the highest level of international cricket.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these teams and what makes them stand out:
Afghanistan
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Afghanistan is known as one of the best among these underdog teams. They have made impressive strides in recent years, qualifying for the T20 World Cup on multiple occasions and even participating in the ODI World Cup once. Their journey in the 2019 World Cup has been a thrilling tie against cricket giant India.
The strength of the Afghan team lies in their bowling attacks, led by world-class spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. These two spinners can take wickets on any type of pitch and have played an important role in Afghanistan’s recent success.
While their bowling shines, Afghanistan’s batting lineup is also good. Players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, and Nazibullah Zadran are capable of scoring big runs. However, it’s important to note that the Afghan batting unit is relatively inexperienced and can face challenges against top-quality bowling attacks.
Afghanistan is eyeing a significant impact in the next T20 World Cup. With their bowling attack and an improving batting lineup, they have the potential to defeat any team in the world on their day.
Netherland
The Netherlands is another underdog team that has been on the rise in recent years. They successfully qualified for the T20 World Cup in 2014 and 2022, and they also made it to the ODI World Cup in 2011, showing their progress. The Dutch team’s strength primarily resides in their batting lineup, which is spearheaded by experienced batsmen Max O’Dowd and Colin Ackermann. O’Dowd is a dependable opener capable of laying a solid foundation for the innings, while Ackermann, a middle-order batsman, can accelerate the scoring rate in the later stages of the game.
The Dutch bowling attack is also showing signs of improvement, with players like Tim Pringle, Paul van Meekeren, and Logan van Beek demonstrating their ability to take wickets. However, the bowling unit still lacks a bit of experience and can be vulnerable against top-quality batting lineups.
The Netherlands is determined to qualify for the next T20 World Cup and make a significant impact. With their talented batting lineup and an improving bowling attack, they have the potential to upset any team on their day.
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Nepal
Nepal, while being the least experienced among all these three underdog teams, has been making noteworthy progress. They successfully qualified for the T20 World Cup qualifiers in 2019 and 2022, and also participated in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in 2018, indicating their growing presence on the international cricket scene.
The strength of the Nepalese team lies in their batting lineups, which is led by talented batsman Aasif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee. Sheikh is a stylish left handed batsman who can score runs all around the ground. While Airee, a powerful middle-order batsman, can clear the boundary with ease.
Nepal’s bowling attack is also on the upswing, featuring players like Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, and Bhuvan Karki, who possess the ability to take crucial wickets. Lamichhane, in particular, is a world-class leg-spinner capable of bewildering any batsman, while Kami and Karki are experienced seamers providing control and wicket-taking capabilities.
Nepal is aiming to qualify for the next T20 World Cup and make a significant impact. With their talented batting lineup and an improving bowling attack, they have the potential to compete against and defeat any team in the world.
Challenges and Opportunities
All three of these underdog teams face several challenges in their quest to rise to the top of the world cricket rankings. One significant challenge is the lack of experience at the highest level of international cricket, which can pose difficulties when competing against well-established teams.
However, there are also numerous opportunities for these teams to develop and succeed. They possess a wealth of young talent, and many of their players are gaining valuable experience by participating in competitive leagues around the world. This exposure will aid in their growth and prepare them for competing at the highest level. Furthermore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented initiatives aimed at assisting developing cricket nations, such as the World Cricket League and the T20 World Cup Qualifiers. These tournaments provide a platform for emerging nations to compete against one another and qualify for major international events, furthering their growth in the sport.
Conclusion
Afghanistan, the Netherlands, and Nepal are three underdog teams in the world of cricket, each with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. They have talented players and the potential to challenge and triumph over any team in the world.
