Pakistan takes on Afghanistan at Leeds on 29th, the 2 Asian sides will try to stab each other down with the pitch seeming to be spinners friendly, it will be a nail-biting encounter.
Pakistan will be too desperate to win this contest, as they want to stay alive in the tournament. By the defeat of Sri Lanka yesterday, they are virtually out of the super4 race. So, it’s Pakistan and Bangladesh in the hunt with England for the number4 spot. Pakistan would dearly wish their neighbors India to defeat England which will make the Pakistani case even stronger if they win today’s clash. The form of Babar Azam and Haris Sohail would mean Pakistan has got a good settled middle order. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul Haq have displayed some skills at the top. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir along with Wahab Riaz are looking good with new as well as the old ball. Captain Sarfaraz is looking solid with bat and gloves in hands. Pakistan will surely fancy their chances against Afghanistan.
KEY PLAYERS: Babar Azam, M. Amir, Haris Sohail.
Afghanistan has played some good cricket so far, but still not matured enough to beat the competition. The match against India was the closest one for them to the victory, but thanks to some great death bowling from Indians. Afghanistan dropped Mohammad Shahzad in the mid-tournament announcing him unfit was a big blow, as he was one of the experienced campaigners. Nothing much to analyze for them but Rahmat Shah, Gulbadin Naib and Mujeeb Ur Rahman have evolved through this tournament and in coming years this experience would help them a lot.
KEY PLAYERS: Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Match details:
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
Date: Saturday, 29 June
Time: 03:00pm IST, 10:30am local
Weather report
Sun will be shinning with its full glory and the day is expected to be windy, 0% rain is expected.
Pitch report
Pitch is expected to be dry, so spinners will have an advantage. Batting first will be a great option as later in the day batting will become tough.
Head to Head
Pakistan vs Afganistan
Played 3
Pakistan 3
Afganistan 0
Expected XI:
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c&wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi
Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib (c), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shinwari, Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
PlayerzPot XI
