Afghanistan
Pakistan
To kick start preparations for the Asia Cup 2023, which is scheduled to be played from August 30, 2023, and find their perfect playing 11 before the tournament begins, Afghanistan and Pakistan decided to lock horns in a three-match ODI series against each other.
The series was planned to be played in Sri Lanka to get accustomed to the conditions, as the Asia Cup will be played there only. Two matches of the series have been completed, and the third match will be played on Saturday, August 26, 2023.
Both teams have sent their full-strength squads for this series to get their players into the groove before the big tournament. For Pakistan, this series is to test new combinations and finalize the best possible team, whereas, for Afghanistan, this series is to build confidence and momentum within the squad. The top bookmakers in India have odds for this series with them.
AfghanistanPakistanThe Afghan team has some serious bowling talent in their squad. The spin quadruple of Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad can dismantle any batting lineup on their day, and this is the biggest strength of this Afghanistan cricket team. It would be difficult to accommodate all four spinners in the playing 11, but it could be a strategy for the team management as the pitches start to wear out.
The batting department is solid with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Najibullah Zadran all set to be in the playing XI.
Predicted Lineup: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hasmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil/Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Abdul Rahman, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Fazalhaq Farooqi
The strength of this Pakistan cricket team is their three-man pace attack, which can be lethal in any conditions around the world. Naseem Shah swings the bowl early on both sides, Shaheen Afridi is the deadliest against right-handed batters, and Haris Rauf has exceptional pace. Apart from this, their all-rounders, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz, are also top-notch cricketers.
Pakistan have a good set of batters as well in Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman.
Predicted Lineup: Pakistan Predicted Playing 11 Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman/Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf
In the inaugural ODI of the series, Pakistan delivered a resounding defeat to Afghanistan. The Pakistani pacers orchestrated an impressive display, dismantling the Afghan batting lineup. The batters were left grappling, unable to counter the fierce pace, impeccable seam, and tantalizing swing orchestrated by the bowlers.
Anticipations are high that Afghanistan will regroup, arming themselves for a more competitive performance in the upcoming match. Afghanistan, meanwhile, gave a really tough fight in the second ODI, and Pakistan won the thriller with one wicket to spare, Gurbaz’s splendid 151 went in vain. While the Afghan resurgence is awaited, the odds seem to favor the Pakistan cricket team yet again.
