Afghanistan v West Indies: Cricket World Cup betting preview, free tip, TV time

TV: Sky Sports Cricket, 10.30am Thursday

Afghanistan have played some good cricket over the last five weeks without winning any matches but have one last chance to put points on the board.

They take on second-bottom West Indies, who started off with a crushing seven-wicket victory over Pakistan and haven't won since.

Best bet
There has been no lack of motivation from Afghanistan and their efforts could be rewarded on a turning wicket at Headingley which should work in their favour.

The Afghans have given a good account of themselves on a few occasions but their best performance was against Pakistan at Leeds last Saturday when they lost by three wickets.

Afghanistan batted first and were happy to reach 227-9 on a wicket which offered plenty of help to the spinners.

Pakistan made hard work of the chase and looked set for defeat when requiring 46 runs from the final five overs.

However, Afghan captain Gulbadin Naib conceded 18 runs in the 46th over and a relieved Pakistan limped over the line by reaching 230-7 with two balls to spare.

Wayward death bowling cost Afghanistan that game but, over the course of the tournament, fragile batting has let them down. They are yet to score more than 250.

However, Gulbadin's side batted with more composure and maturity against Pakistan and might not need much more than 200 against the West Indies to have a good chance of winning.

West Indies possess a squad full of pacy bowlers and big-hitting batsmen but the balance hasn't been quite right.

Whenever there is some life in the pitch or movement in the air, their batting, which lacks a reliable anchor player, has been regularly exposed.

The West Indian bowling has also misfired due to a one-dimensional approach.

A barrage of fast, short-pitched deliveries did the trick against Pakistan but those tactics have failed miserably in the other games and West Indies have lacked the tools to come up with a plan B.

Their approach is unlikely to differ at Headingley where the conditions, which favour slower more subtle bowling, are likely to suit their opponents.

Afghanistan went close to beating India - losing by 11 runs - and Pakistan but they have not let their heads drop and look overpriced to sign off with a win.

Recommendation
Afghanistan
1pt 17-5 Betfair

Back Afghanistan with Paddy Power here

Team news

Afghanistan
No fresh injuries are reported.

West Indies
Andre Russell (knee) is ruled out and Evin Lewis (hamstring) is unlikely to feature.

Venue
Both matches at Leeds have been low-scoring. The biggest score was Sri Lanka's 232-9 against England.

Weather
Sunny intervals accompanied by a light breeze. High 21C.

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