Afghanistan vs Pakistan | 1st ODI | Hambantota | 22 August, 2023 | Pakistan Innings

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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.

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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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This series is a perfect opportunity to try Saud and Tayyab in the playing XI. After all one of them is going to make his way in the World Cup squad.

We know that both players are good against spin and what better way to test that out then to play against Afghanistan Spinners.
 
Pakistan should try to experiment with both tayyab and saud in this game, its unfair if the same team plays, and then these guys are dropped without getting a chance.

Forget about the no 1 ranking, World Cup and Asia cup is all that matters. Pakistan needs to experiment with these 2 and decide who to progress forward with, I'd personally rest Iftikhar and shadab for just one game to test these 2 newbies out.

Ik that's not gonna happen though. Pakistan is too narrow minded, to let that happen.

Expect the same starting 11 that Pakistan always uses.

1) Fakhar
2) Imam
3) Babar
4) Rizwan
5) Agha Salma
6) Iftikhar
7) Nawaz
8) Shadab
9) Haris Rauf
10) Shaheen
11) Naseem shah
 
Babar already announced 12 players this morning. 2 of Shadab, Usama and Nawaz will play rest of the team is announced. Love the confidence. This is the Australian way.
 
Saud should play he will be key handling afghan spinners.
If he can scores run a ball atleast every match or scores at 90+ SR batting at 4 avg 50 atleast he will become an asset to this team and fills the no.4 position and will become the mainstay of Pak middle order across both white and red ball..

Both India and Pak are searching someone like Yuvraj Singh , Mahela , Inzi to fill that spot... And that will win them the CWC...

Spots up for grabs for both Saud and Shafique...Lets see who owns it...
 
If he can scores run a ball atleast every match or scores at 90+ SR batting at 4 avg 50 atleast he will become an asset to this team and fills the no.4 position and will become the mainstay of Pak middle order across both white and red ball..

Both India and Pak are searching someone like Yuvraj Singh , Mahela , Inzi to fill that spot... And that will win them the CWC...

Spots up for grabs for both Saud and Shafique...Lets see who owns it...
Ya thats right bro hopefully saud and agha both secure their spots.
 
Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat
 
Lol I predicted the future. I knew pakistan wouldn't try out saud or Tayyab even though it makes no sense. This is the perfect time to try them out before the Asia cup or World Cup, but leave it to pak to keep going with the same 11 over and over again.
 
2 leggies in Pak bowling line-up. Excited to see as it will be spinning track. Also have to see how Babar fares against Afghan spin
 
Pakistan is not taking advantage of the fact that Agha Salman and Iftikhar are more than handy spinners. I reckon we are playing one bowler too many which will hurt us in games where we are chasing a massive total. Personally I would have dropped a bowler and played M Haris as a late order striker.

Nice to see two leggies though.
 
Afghans will win this. Just look at their batting compared to ours and that is missing Zadran. Looks absolute Solid we are playing all bowlers and hardly any batting.
 
Huge mistake playing Iftikhar over Saud. There is gulf in class and quality between both.
 
Now time for Babar Azam classy inning ,not seen his batting from long time so today I want to enjoy his batting
 
This guy Fakhar can never be a consistent batsman unless luck favor.
 
2 wickets gone cheaply. Horrible start for Pakistan.
 
Man.. these Afghan spinners are a major threat in Asian conditions. Babar the great beaten comprehensively.
 
pitch is slow no doubt but so what we are batting first and there is no spin..yet these mediocre players are going to embarass them selves.
 
Fakhar was stupid. There was no reason to attack and should had started slowly
 
Just looking at the previous ODIs at this ground and the avg 1st inns score is around 260.
 
Babar is good batsman but Pakistan fan's overrated him so much .he is nowhere near 👑 Kohli
Exactly!!!! He is above average but not that good considering he doesn't have any ability to play any decent spinner or fail 90% under pressure.
 
Fakhar was stupid. There was no reason to attack and should had started slowly
Also lack of quality to play good innings in slow pitch. Mostly hit or miss mix with luck. Can never guarantee to score on consistent basis.
 
These players are playing in so many league around the world that's why I don't see much hunger unless it's Big Tournament
 
Exactly!!!! He is above average but not that good considering he doesn't have any ability to play any decent spinner or fail 90% under pressure.
For a guy who's often criticized for not being good enough against spin, Babar Azam has the highest ODI average for any batsman in cricket history against spinners (Min 2000 runs) - 80.76

Get your facts correct before you comment :)
 
This will be a reality check for all those delusional fans who were considering Pak favorite/well settled & their top 3 as the best of the world on the basis of some 15 games in last 2 years that too against minnows & B/C elevens of top teams.
 
For a guy who's often criticized for not being good enough against spin, Babar Azam has the highest ODI average for any batsman in cricket history against spinners (Min 2000 runs) - 80.76

Get your facts correct before you comment :)
This is misleading stats .check against quality spinners .Kuldeep ,Prabath etc own him .don't count league stats around the world where Lalu panju spinners are playing
 
For a guy who's often criticized for not being good enough against spin, Babar Azam has the highest ODI average for any batsman in cricket history against spinners (Min 2000 runs) - 80.76

Get your facts correct before you comment :)
Do you have his stats against the top spinners : Zampa,Santner, Rashid, Hasaranga, Kuldeep,Shakib,Shamsi etc.
 
This is misleading stats .check against quality spinners .Kuldeep ,Prabath etc own him .don't count league stats around the world where Lalu panju spinners are playing
I thought it is only your facts that need a correction but you are unable to read. I only shared ODI stats which obviously doesn't include leagues. Why ever lallu panju start commenting on Babar here?
 
For a guy who's often criticized for not being good enough against spin, Babar Azam has the highest ODI average for any batsman in cricket history against spinners (Min 2000 runs) - 80.76

Get your facts correct before you comment :)
Doesnt matter what stats say.He cant play spin.
 
So I should be forced to support Pakistan?

Pretty racists.

I wonder if you lived in England, would you support England or pakistan
Considering your username and profile pic, it is pretty mandatory you support Pakistan to be honest.

I live in the UK and my first team is Pakistan and second is England.
 
Considering your username and profile pic, it is pretty mandatory you support Pakistan to be honest.

I live in the UK and my first team is Pakistan and second is England.
No its not mandatory.

You live in England yet support Pakistan even if there is a game between both.

I love Afghan cricket. And want them to do well. For me if Pakistan losses a few series against the afghans its not the end of the world for me.

I want the Afghans to become a top 5 team.
 
I thought it is only your facts that need a correction but you are unable to read. I only shared ODI stats which obviously doesn't include leagues. Why ever lallu panju start commenting on Babar here?
You could be a babar fan but you need to accept flaws in ur favorite player.

Babar has issues against spin. Its not even an argument. Often he gets out to spinners.

Not a major concern in limited overs cricket cause we never had players who were good against pacers. So yes his strength against pacers does overcome what he does against spinners.

But in test cricket not being able to spin is a problem.
 
Your so called top s

So stats are lying that tell he averages 80 against the spin? :O
Are you plain foolish?
Yep. You don't average 59 in ODIs by being a bad player of spin.

Babar's overall record against spin is excellent but he does struggle to pick the googly from wrist-spinners. His footwork isn't always as decisive as it should be. Imam's had a good gameplan so far by playing them largely off the backfoot.

Anyway the one thing I didn't miss about PP is the wrist slitting on the match threads. Please folks try to understand we can't be 350-1 every game. The other team is not here to drink tea.
 
You could be a babar fan but you need to accept flaws in ur favorite player.

Babar has issues against spin. Its not even an argument. Often he gets out to spinners.

Not a major concern in limited overs cricket cause we never had players who were good against pacers. So yes his strength against pacers does overcome what he does against spinners.

But in test cricket not being able to spin is a problem.
How come having issues against spin translate into a batting avg of 80??
 
Damn Rizwan was looking so good as well. Exceptional bowling by Mujeeb.
 
How come having issues against spin translate into a batting avg of 80??
Oh mayray bhai. Have you seen live matches?

Everyone who has seen live games can tell you he gets out to spin.
 
Ok now its time for chacha.

I am big fan of chacha than I am of Afghanistan.

So chacha should score a 100 hahaha
 
Oh mayray bhai. Have you seen live matches?

Everyone who has seen live games can tell you he gets out to spin.
He has an avg of 80 in live matches or some matches in a parallel universe? He gets out to more pacers than spinners
 
Was a harsh decision but I still see nothing convincing to have this guy at 4

Need a proper batter of spin
 
Has Salman Agha done enough to show that he is solid enough to bat at 5 ?
 
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