Big Show plans no show when facing Afghan danger man

Rashid Khan has taken the second-most wickets in the world since the last World Cup - and that’s exactly why Glenn Maxwell will sheathe his willow when facing the Afghan star.

• World Cup profiles: Big Show no more

• World Cup profiles: Afghanistan wizard

Glenn Maxwell’s overflowing aggression will be curtailed against Afghan whiz Rashid Khan with the electrifying all-rounder set to instead target the minnow’s other bowlers in Saturday’s World Cup opener.

But Afghanistan’s hopes of pulling off a shock upset have been dealt a blow with opening batsman Mohammad Shahzad in doubt with a hamstring injury.

The big keeper smashed 124 (116) against India last year and blitzed South Africa with 44 off just 19 balls at the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup in India.

Maxwell said the key to Khan — who has taken the second-most wickets in the world since the last World Cup (125) — was to survive and then thrive elsewhere.

“At times I can (pick him),” Maxwell said.

Glenn Maxwell watches the ball closely during a World Cup warm-up match. Picture: Getty

“He’s very difficult. He is probably one of the more difficult ones I’ve played against.

“He and (West Indies’ Sunil) Narine are probably the two you go through stages where you think you are going to hold them, and then they bowl a ball that beats you.

“And you sit there shaking your head. I feel like I don’t think I’m going to get out to (Khan), but I don’t feel like I’m going to score much off him.

“It’s about targeting other blokes and making sure I’m putting pressure on him to change his lengths.

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“We’ve got a bit of footage to watch, but it’s a different kettle of fish when you’re actually facing him.”

The sweep shot is statistically the most effective at both scoring runs and avoiding dismissals against Khan, who did not bowl at Maxwell in last summer’s BBL.

Afghanistan also boasts cagey spinner Mohammad Nabi (Renegades) and mystery tweaker Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Heat), although the team’s confidence would be shaken by the loss to England.

Rashid Khan (C). Picture: AFP

Afghanistan was bowled out for 160 and then conceded boundaries from 25 per cent of deliveries as the target was mowed down in just 17.3 overs.

Maxwell watched Afghanistan’s previous practice match win against Pakistan, where Shahzad retired hurt on 23.

“I was lucky enough to see them play,” he said.

“I try and pick my spinners I go hard against. Whether it’s history against them or I have confidence against them or I’ve got a good game plan against them.

“They rely on (Khan) and Nabi a lot to stop and get wickets just after the powerplay.

“I think just putting pressure on them to bring back the medium pace and faster bowlers might be the way we go.”

While the Bristol wicket, where Australia meets Afghanistan, has a reputation of being spin-friendly, it hasn’t played like that so far this summer.

“It doesn’t spin massively, but it spins enough,” Maxwell said.

Originally published as Big Show plans no show when facing Afghan danger man