Hosts England will aim to carry on its winning streak with a hat-trick when they meet minnows Afghanistan in World Cup 2019 group affair at the Old Trafford here on Tuesday. It will also be for the first time when the two teams face-off in the 50-over format.
Except for their loss against Pakistan, it's been a smooth ride for the hosts who have had massive wins in three games. However, the Three Lions will be worried over the fitness of their two key players -- skipper Eoin Morgan and opener Jason Roy as both left the field during the game against West Indies on June 14. Roy is out for the two matches as the reports confirm he suffered a hamstring tear. Regarding Eoin Morgan, the decision would be taken on the match day itself. In absence of them, James Vince could partner Jonny Bairstow. Moeen Ali is likely to be back in the playing XI as the wicket at Old Trafford has a history of assisting spinners. Jofra Archer's spells have added depth to their bowling and Mark Wood has also been impressive. England's only concern could be the form of their spinners who haven't been upto the mark.
On the other hand, Afghanistan has remained winless so far. The Afghans have lost all of their four games in the tournament so far. The Gulbadin Naib-led side has experimented with several combinations but nothing has worked for them. Batting remains a major challenge as the batsmen have failed in putting runs. While some of their bowlers like Mohammad Nabi, Hamid Hassan and Rashid Khan have been economical, they have struggled to get wickets. However, looking at the conditions here, a lot will be expected from Rashid. Their pacer need to be more consistent as the bowling unit has mostly relied on the spinners. Naib could include Mujeeb-ur-Rahman for Tuesday's game in what is likely to be a spin-friendly track.
Probable XI
England: Eoin Morgan/Adil Rashid, Jonny Bairstow, James Vince, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Joe Root
Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib, Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Dream 11: Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Rashid Khan, Asghar Afghan, Jos Buttler, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Ben Stokes
