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At some point in the Asia Cup, Afghanistan and Pakistan are expected to meet even though they are not in the same group. And in two months, they will also face-off in a crucial World Cup clash in Chennai. With those sterner tests coming up, this three-match series presents both teams an opportunity to test themselves. And the fact that this series is scheduled in Sri Lanka where the Asia Cup is set to take place gives them an added advantage to prepare.
Afghanistan will certainly fancy their chances of toppling Pakistan given their recent form. They just beat Bangladesh 2-1 in their most recent ODI series and that was a massive achievement given not many teams have managed to beat Bangladesh in their own backyard in recent years. On the other hand, Pakistan hammered New Zealand at home earlier this year in their previous ODI assignment. However, conditions in Hambantota may not be as batting friendly as the conditions were in Pakistan and that might keep the Afghans in the contest.
The last time these two sides played each other, Afghanistan managed to spring a surprise in the T20I series in Sharjah by defeating their neighbours 2-1. While Afghanistan can take positives from that outcome, the fact was that Pakistan sent a second string side for that short series. With the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf bolstering the squad, the challenge will be a lot harder for Afghanistan this time.
When: Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 1st ODI, August 22, 3 PM local time
Where: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota
What to expect: Even though no rain is forecast, it could be a bit cloudy in Hambantota on match day. The last time an ODI was played, Sri Lanka's seamers ran through the Afghanistan lineup so they will be wary of that.
Team Watch
Afghanistan
While the openers were impressive against Bangladesh, Afghanistan would want runs from Najibullah Zadran with the left-hander going through a lean run. Noor Ahmed is back in the squad but will he straightaway return to the XI?
Pakistan
Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf and Saud Shakeel have been added to the squad. While he has made an impression in Tests, Shakeel is yet to make a mark in the one-day format and he will have competition for a spot in the XI in the form of someone like Tahir. If conditions permit, bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf might play his comeback game as well.
Squads:
Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Usama Mir, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Agha Salman
Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Ikram Alikhil, Wafadar Momand, Abdul Rahman, Riaz Hassan, Noor Ahmad
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All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:
1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.
2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.

Afghanistan will certainly fancy their chances of toppling Pakistan given their recent form. They just beat Bangladesh 2-1 in their most recent ODI series and that was a massive achievement given not many teams have managed to beat Bangladesh in their own backyard in recent years. On the other hand, Pakistan hammered New Zealand at home earlier this year in their previous ODI assignment. However, conditions in Hambantota may not be as batting friendly as the conditions were in Pakistan and that might keep the Afghans in the contest.
The last time these two sides played each other, Afghanistan managed to spring a surprise in the T20I series in Sharjah by defeating their neighbours 2-1. While Afghanistan can take positives from that outcome, the fact was that Pakistan sent a second string side for that short series. With the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf bolstering the squad, the challenge will be a lot harder for Afghanistan this time.
When: Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 1st ODI, August 22, 3 PM local time
Where: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota
What to expect: Even though no rain is forecast, it could be a bit cloudy in Hambantota on match day. The last time an ODI was played, Sri Lanka's seamers ran through the Afghanistan lineup so they will be wary of that.
Team Watch
Afghanistan
While the openers were impressive against Bangladesh, Afghanistan would want runs from Najibullah Zadran with the left-hander going through a lean run. Noor Ahmed is back in the squad but will he straightaway return to the XI?
Pakistan
Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf and Saud Shakeel have been added to the squad. While he has made an impression in Tests, Shakeel is yet to make a mark in the one-day format and he will have competition for a spot in the XI in the form of someone like Tahir. If conditions permit, bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf might play his comeback game as well.
Squads:
Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Usama Mir, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Agha Salman
Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Ikram Alikhil, Wafadar Momand, Abdul Rahman, Riaz Hassan, Noor Ahmad
==
All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:
1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.
2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.
3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.
4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.
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