ODI World Cup 2023, Match 22: Afghanistan vs Pakistan Match Preview

In the 22nd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Afghanistan are set to take on Pakistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This encounter is fraught with significance, especially for Babar Azam's men, who find themselves in a precarious position following back-to-back losses to India and Australia. Another misstep here could spell disaster for their aspirations of making it to the tournament's semifinals.

Presently, The Men in Green occupy the fifth spot with four points from as many matches, but their negative net run rate of -0.456 is a cause for concern and demands a swift improvement. Pakistan's foremost concern is their vulnerability to spin bowling. Even on a pitch conducive to batting in Bengaluru, their batters faltered against Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, surrendering four crucial wickets while struggling to decipher his variations.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, boasts an arsenal of exceptional spinners in Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who can wreak havoc on even the most accomplished batters. The Chepauk pitch is renowned for aiding spin, and this provides Afghanistan with an ideal opportunity to unleash their spin maestros upon the Pakistani lineup. In this regard, Pakistan's hopes rest on their captain, Babar Azam, who has had a lacklustre tournament thus far and must step up to the plate when it matters most.

Afghanistan, in their pursuit of victory, will seek improved performances from their own batter, who, apart from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, has struggled to find consistency in this marquee event. While glimpses of promise have been displayed by the likes of Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Hashmatullah Shahidi, they need to transform these sporadic sparks into a sustained blaze of excellence.

It is crucial to note that Pakistan have a dominant 7-0 head-to-head record against Afghanistan in ODIs, underscoring their experience and prowess in high-pressure situations. As the stage is set for this captivating clash, the question remains: Can Pakistan overcome their recent tribulations and maintain their dominance, or will Afghanistan's spin wizards conjure an upset to remember? Cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the answer, as the battle unfolds in Chennai.

AFG vs PAK, MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch and Conditions

The MA Chidambaram Stadium wickets lean towards favouring spin bowlers, owing to their typically dry nature, which affords spinners a good grip. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to decelerate, particularly in the latter stages, posing challenges for batters during the second innings. Therefore, winning the toss and opting to bat first emerges as the preferred strategy for this particular venue.

AFG vs PAK Probable Playing XIs for ODI World Cup 2023, Match 22

Afghanistan (AFG)

Afghanistan faces the possibility of sticking with their current lineup for the upcoming match. While the team management may be enticed to include Noor Ahmad, the final decision remains uncertain. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have been in good form at the top of the order, and the middle-order batsmen have also delivered consistent performances. The Afghan team is banking on a collective team effort as they look to secure a victory against Pakistan.

Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq

Pakistan (PAK)

Pakistan head into the match against Afghanistan with a clean bill of health, as they have no injury worries. In the previous game against Australia, they introduced Usama Mir into the lineup, a move that didn't pay off as expected and incurred a significant cost. Given the advanced stage of the ODI World Cup 2023, they might opt to retain him in the playing XI, as making major changes mid-tournament could be a risky proposition. Captain Babar Azam, who has struggled in the competition with just 83 runs in four innings, will be eager to rediscover his form.

Predicted XI: Imam ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

AFG vs PAK Head-to-Head in ODIs:

AFG vs PAK Broadcast Details:

Also Check: ICC World Cup 2023 Points Table