Cricket World Cup: Hesson wary of 'exceptional' Afghani pace attack

Shapoor Zadran has taken seven wickets at 15.14. Photo / Alan Gibson

Wondering what to make of Afghanistan, the fledgling cricket nation who have won hearts, and a game, at the World Cup?

Ask New Zealand coach Mike Hesson. He's familiar with Afghanistan's players and style after his time coaching Kenya against them.

He accords them respect ahead of their meeting with New Zealand at Napier on Sunday.

After all, they beat Scotland narrowly to record their first victory at their first cup; and had Sri Lanka, finalists at the last two tournaments, in a tangle at 18 for three in Dunedin before Mahela Jayawardene, with a century, and Thisara Perera, with a rapid 47 off 26 balls, got the more fancied team home by four wickets.

"Their bowling attack is exceptionally talented," Hesson said. "We saw that against Sri Lanka and their high-quality batting lineup, where they can put pressure [on] sides.

"Bowling's definitely their strength. They've got three guys who bowl at 140 [km/h] or above and can swing it. And their batsmen don't die wondering."

The three Hesson was referring to were Hamid Hassan, of the headband and spectacular, if not always successful, cartwheels upon taking a wicket; Dawlat Zadran and the giant Shapoor Zadran. The big left-armer with the flowing mane has taken seven wickets at 15.14. Only nine bowlers have taken more in the cup.

Shapoor hit the winning runs against Scotland and embarked on a sprint around the outfield before falling to the ground at University Oval to be engulfed by his teammates.

He's a character. "I am angry when I bowl," he has said, in terms of stirring himself up for the challenge.

The batting leans heavily on Samiullah Shenwari. He has hit 176 runs at 58.66 in the cup, 100 more than the second highest tally, by Javed Ahmadi. That's how reliant Afghanistan are on the 28-year-old from Nangarhar, in the far east of the country, close to the Pakistan border. He averages a respectable 38 in 47 ODIs, including nine 50s.

"I've seen a lot of them playing associate nations, where they bully teams a bit," Hesson said.

So if New Zealand's players are looking for insight into what Afghanistan may offer, they need look no further than across the team meeting room.

Before travelling to Napier via Auckland, Afghanistan must play Australia in Perth on what's sure to be a fast, bouncy pitch at the Waca Ground tomorrow night. That looks certain to be another steep learning curve for the spirited Afghanis.

Afghanistan at cup

Feb 18: Lost to Bangladesh by 105 runs.
Feb 22: Lost to Sri Lanka by 4 wickets.
Feb 26: Beat Scotland by 1 wicket.

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