Afghanistan will look to create an upset when they face Pakistan at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 23rd October 2023. It promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams are coming off with a loss.
Afghanistan lost their previous match against New Zealand by a big margin while Pakistan lost by 62 runs against Australia. Both teams have tough competition these days. It is a must-win situation for both teams as Afghanistan is currently at the number 10th spot while Pakistan slipped down to number 5th in the points table.
Both teams have top-quality players who can change the course of the game with their abilities and hope to gain momentum.
Here we look at the 5 Players To Watch Out Between Afghanistan and Pakistan in WC 2023.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is an attacking batter that puts enough pressure on the bowlers. He failed to contribute many runs in the previous match against New Zealand. His ability to put pressure right from the word go makes him a tough batter to bowl at.
He scored a brilliant 151-run knock against Pakistan in the 2nd ODI during the series in Sri Lanka. Gurbaz would look to provide an excellent start in the first 10 overs that would put enough pressure on the Pakistani bowling.
If Gurbaz could provide the impetus, then Afghanistan has a chance of putting the Pakistan team under pressure and helping register their 2nd win of the tournament.
- Mohammed Rizwan
The stylish right-handed wicketkeeper batter, Rizwan had a decent outing in the previous match against Australia. He made 46 but could not convert into a big score. He has been consistent performer for Pakistan in this year’s World Cup so far.
He has a decent record against Afghanistan in the ODI format with 90 runs from 3 matches ( 3 innings) including the best score of 67. Rizwan will play a key role as he needs to keep the strike rotating against the spin trio of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi, and if Noor Ahmed is included in the playing XI.
Rizwan can take singles and hit big shots that would put pressure on the Afghanistan bowling that would help them register victory.
- Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan bowled with great control in the previous match against New Zealand. He deceived the batters but Afghanistan’s fielding and catching were not up to the mark which led Afghanistan to help Kiwi to post a big total.
He has a decent record in One-day internationals against Pakistan with 7 wickets from 5 matches ( 5 innings) at an economy of 4.66 runs per over. During his efforts, Khan grabbed the best figures of 3 for 46 and would be looking for a match-winning performance against Pakistan tomorrow.
The condition in Chennai is likely to help the spinners which would create enough pressure on Pakistan batters during middle overs.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
The left-arm pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi picked 5 for 52 against Australia on a superb batting pitch in Bengaluru. He was the only Pakistan bowler to pick wickets and control the run flow that helped them to restrict Australia after 259 runs runs-opening partnership.
He has a great record in ODIs against Afghanistan with 12 wickets from 5 matches at an economy of 4.19 runs per over. His performance in the 2019 World Cup match was great. Shaheen picked figures of 4 for 47 against Afghanistan in ODI format.
Shaheen will play a key role in helping Pakistan to pick early wickets and help them to register victories against Afghanistan.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Mujeeb Ur Rahman has a decent job for Afghanistan bowling in the first 10 overs this World Cup. He looked with great control putting pressure on opening batters. His bowling looked impressive against Pakistan in the ODI format with 9 wickets from 5 matches at an economy of 3.90 runs per over.
Mujeeb grabbed figures of 3 for 33 against Pakistan. He would be looking to pick early wickets in the initial 10 overs. His role will be to create enough pressure on the batters with discipline lines and lengths that would allow them to stop run flow.
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