AFG vs PAK Match Preview

Mujeeb Ur Rahman was the pick of the lot with 3 wickets, while Nabi and Rashid Khan picked up 2 wickets each. The conditions were helpful for the spinners but there is no denying the fact they attacked the stumps consistently and bowled excellent lengths. 

However, Afghanistan will expect a better performance from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai. They could have played more of a role in wrapping up the lower order quicker.  

The batting was even more disappointing as the team was bowled out for its second-lowest total ever and managed to score only 59 runs before getting bowled out inside 20 overs. 3 of the top 4 batsmen, including Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Rahmat Shah were dismissed for ducks. Only Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai managed to reach double figures in the Afghanistan innings.

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam had a rare off-day at the office as they were dismissed within the first two overs of the match. The duo are the top two run-getters for Pakistan in this calendar year and will hope to bounce back in this match. Imam Ul-Haq played a gritty innings, scoring 61 runs even as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals at the other end.

Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salma, Shadab Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed make up the middle order and will need to play better. They have been inconsistent, particularly in the 50-over format and need to adjust their tempo to the longer time frame available.

Coming to the bowling, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah make up for a potent opening attack with the ball, with Haris Rauf coming in as the third seamer. Rauf picked up a fifer in the opening match and the team will expect a similar performance from him. 

Pakistan's bowling lineup is perhaps the most exciting in the world and their fast-bowlers are a threat on any kind of surface.

Shadab Khan and Usama Mir are the two spinners on the team and will play an important role going forward.

Weather Report

The weather is expected to remain overcast and humid with temperatures hovering around the 30-degree mark. 

Pitch Report

The pitch is pretty dry and the ball tends to grip the surface as it bounces. It will be a good strategy to get some runs on the board before the pitch starts to slow down and gets increasingly difficult to bat on. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf showed that with a disciplined line and length, even the quicker bowlers can enjoy considerable success on this pitch.

Notable stats

Don't Write Off Fakhar Zaman Yet

Fakhar Zaman is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in 2023. He has scored 522 runs in 9 innings at an average of 65.25 and has scored 3 centuries and a half-century.

Team News

Azmatullah Omarzai retired out in the first ODI due to a niggle and updates regarding his condition are awaited. 

 

AFG vs PAK Probable 11

AFG Playing 11

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wk)
  • Ibrahim Zadran
  • Najibullah Zadran
  • Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
  • Mohammad Nabi
  • Rahmat Shah
  • Rashid Khan
  • Ikram Alikhil
  • Abdul Rahman
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi

PAK Playing 11

  • Fakhar Zaman
  • Imam Ul-Haq
  • Babar Azam (C)
  • Mohammad Rizwan (Wk)
  • Agha Salman
  • Iftikhar Ahmed
  • Shadab Khan
  • Usama Mir
  • Haris Rauf
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi
  • Naseem
This is not the official playing 11 for the match. This is a prediction of the expected playing 11 for each team based on the writers analysis.

Dream11 Prediction

We are backing Pakistan to win here. They enjoy an unbeaten record against Afghanistan in ODIs and that should give the team plenty of confidence. The bowlers are in excellent form and are up for any challenge from the opposition. 

 

Top Picks

Babar Azam: Babar Azam is the number 1 ranked batsman in ODIs. He has scored 2 half-centuries in 3 matches against Afghanistan and we are backing him to play another good inning.

Shaheen Shah Afridi: Afridi bowled a double-wicket maiden to set the tone for Pakistan’s pace attack. He is undoubtedly one of Pakistan’s most talented seamers.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Gurbaz has an average of 37.95 in ODIs and has scored 797 runs at a strike rate of 84.51. 

 

AFG vs PAK Dream11 Team 1

Keeper: M Rizwan, R Gurbaz

Batters: B Azam (C), F Zaman, I Zadran, I Haq

All-rounders: S Khan, M Nabi

Bowlers: S Afridi, Rashid-Khan (VC), H Rauf

AFG vs PAK Dream11 Prediction - OCB Team Prediction