Pakistan vs Afghanistan | Match 36, World Cup | Leeds | Jun 29, 2019 | Pre-Match Discussion Thread

[Abdullah719]

Must-win game and a pretty winnable one, but we can't afford to take them lightly.

Was thinking Hasnain might get a game but now it doesn't seem likely since all the pacers look to be in good form.

 

[saeed5646]

Imad is problem .Asif ali in if he has improved his fielding

 

[dhump]

I am worried about this match now actually this match is very much winnable, and Pakistan should win this easily in current form, but since we are talking about Pakistan, it gets complicated.

They will and should go with the same team.

 

[SM1989]

Pakistan lost the warm up game to Afghanistan, so Afghanistan have an advantage!

 

[Hasan123]

Same team. Don’t see a need to change.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Swap Haris and Hafeez positions

 

[Ronaldo7]

I think the loss against Afg in the warm up is a blessing in disguise. This will ensure that the players won't take afg lightly.

 

[zulfiqar]

Oh boy oh boy, we are about to BLAST Afghanistan out of Earth's orbit all the way to one of Jupiter's moons! WATCH OUT FOR FAKHAR ZAMAN who will be out for a double hundred!

 

[Chokli]

1.Imam Ul Haq
2.Fakhar Zaman
3.Babar Azam
4.Mohammad Hafeez
5.Haris Sohail
6.Imad Wasim
7.Sarfaraz Ahmed
8.Shadab Khan
9.Wahab Riaz
10.Mohammad Amir
11.Shaheen Afridi

Same XI.

No need to make any changes.

Malik, Hasan, Asif on the bench are all useless.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Should be a good win. Hopefully they put the NRR in the back of their minds and just focus on getting the points.

 

[shaykh]

I think the loss against Afg in the warm up is a blessing in disguise. This will ensure that the players won't take afg lightly.

Agree wholeheartedly with this...here's hoping Hafeez can actually treat their bowling with respect...

 

[aqeelPK]

What kind of pitch to expect at Leeds? I am hoping we get a flat one.

 

[Khanusman1]

Guys I am so excited we will eat our Afghans bro alive. Then bd. I can’t believe I will witness Pakistan win the World Cup in my home country. Lord save the queeeen

 

[last_knight]

Asif must play against Afg (preferably against BD too) in an attempt to boost NRR. Needs to catch up with NZ NRR.
2 loses for NZ may bring their NRR down to +.4/+.3. To be ahead of it PCT needs two wins with overall margin of 150 or with 25 overs spared. Rough estimates.

 

[Mueez]

I really hope it is a pace bowling-friendly pitch and we win the toss and blow Afghanistan away.

Have had enough with their overconfidence and big-talks.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Against this red hot Pakistan team, let me say my prayers for the overconfident Afghanistan team 'Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un'

 

[topspin]

I would open with Babar and push Fakhar down to 3 because he's been struggling to negotiate the new ball. We need him to face more spin against the likes of Mujeeb, Nabi and Rashid.

Also wouldn't mind seeing Asif Ali getting a go ahead of Imam to open for the side.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

I want a humiliation. Make em' grovel!

 

[zulfiqar]

Against this red hot Pakistan team, let me say my prayers for the overconfident Afghanistan team 'Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un'

HAHAHAHA! My thoughts exactly my man. "Tum to duboge, akele hi duboge sanam!"

 

[Khanusman1]

Against this red hot Pakistan team, let me say my prayers for the overconfident Afghanistan team 'Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un'

Bhaijaan I’m sure our performance today will have your boys on edge

 

[ARK Rafay]

1. Imam
2. Fakhar
3. Babar
4. Haris
5. Malik
6. Hafeez
7. Sarfraz
8. Shadab
9. Wahab
10. Amir
11. Shaheen

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

We cannot afford complacency. As Big Mac said, the game demands respect and we need to respect AFG as a worthy opposition and play against them without taking things for granted.

 

[Sunzi]

I hope we do not experiment and drop the ball.

Need to go in with the same intensity and try to win and win big with NRR in mind

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Bhaijaan I’m sure our performance today will have your boys on edge ��

Australia, India and England everyone are on their edge the way Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled not just our boys, what a marvelous display of fast bowling we got to see. I just hope we put up a fight and win hearts as usual

 

[fluke]

don't be complacent please go for the kill from ball 1

 

[ssuhaide]

I would actually make a change. Wahab needs a rest. Bring in Hasnain.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I would open with Babar and push Fakhar down to 3 because he's been struggling to negotiate the new ball. We need him to face more spin against the likes of Mujeeb, Nabi and Rashid.

Also wouldn't mind seeing Asif Ali getting a go ahead of Imam to open for the side.

If the team management had some intelligent people in the set up they would have done this a long time back.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I would actually make a change. Wahab needs a rest. Bring in Hasnain.

That's a huge risk.

Wahab is lethal for the death overs. He is one of the reasons Pak has been better in the last 10 overs.

 

[pakistani pride]

Is it correct that numbers of win count 1st and only then NRR?

 

[aloo paratha]

Same team. There is nobody better sitting on the bench. Just move Haris to 4 though.

 

[BoomBoom97]

Imam and Fakhar to a do 200 run stand!!

 

[mon858]

we need to aim for high NRR win here so if we end up same as 11 pts as some other team we can maybe still make it. i would consider playing Asif Ali over Imad Wasim and just take a chance, maybe he can click and we get 350 score. Imad won't cause much trouble for Afghan batsmen I think.

Another option, i would consider bringing in Hasnain for Imad and try to use 4 pacers to knock them over around 150 or so.

 

[topspin]

If the team management had some intelligent people in the set up they would have done this a long time back.

What's your take on Imam's tournament so far? He's been underwhelming imo. Just a shame we don't have a back-up opener in the squad. At least Fakhar scores his runs at a decent rate, even though he's been mediocre out in the middle, which is why he should be kept in the team, but shielded away from the new ball.

 

[shokz1408]

Id enjoy it if we batted first make 350-375 and bowl them out for about 150?

 

[fluke]

I wish Pakistan wins the toss and hopefully the pitch would be a fantastic batting track and I wish fakhar smash a double century against Afghanistan to shut their mouths

 

[Titan24]

Need to be professional without any complacency.

 

[Titan24]

Would like Shaheen to take revenge against Zarzai (If he plays) for that back off gesture which he showed.

 

[WC-Passion]

Same XI as against NZ. Only change I would possibly make is to get rid of Hafeez for Asif Ali but at the same time that's a risk. It's unfortunate that Hasan, Asif Ali and Malik make up the bench....

 

[Obaidd]

Same team.
Question is should Haris and Prof switch places?

 

[90MPH]

It’s forecasted to be 30 degree temperature on Saturday. -hottest day of the year in England.

So it will definitely be a bat first track. It will be more difficult batting 2nd with the pitch crumbling.

 

[Usman Chadda]

This game and Bangladesh game will be a spin-only battle for Pakistan. The lads better get to work on playing spin a lot more effectively than they have so far.

Can't take any team lightly. Get the job done. This game is an equally important do-or-die match for us.

 

[Plumb]

This game and Bangladesh game will be a spin-only battle for Pakistan. The lads better get to work on playing spin a lot more effectively than they have so far.

Can't take any team lightly. Get the job done. This game is an equally important do-or-die match for us.

Absolutely spot on. Need to be at our best, get over the line in both the games and hope for the best

 

[Extra_Cover]

This game and Bangladesh game will be a spin-only battle for Pakistan. The lads better get to work on playing spin a lot more effectively than they have so far.

Can't take any team lightly. Get the job done. This game is an equally important do-or-die match for us.

I agree with this post. Teams are packed with spinners and playing them well will win you the game. This is the time Hafeez and Sarfaraz steps up and contribute to wins. They both play spin well and tbh we need contributions from all 11 if we are to go far in this tournament.

 

[world cup captain]

We're playing at Headingley against Afghanistan so drop Imad for Husnain and look to bowl them out for below 150 and chase it quickly (under 25 over ideally). We have to ensure we put more pressure on England for best chances.

 

[Red Devil]

Only a two day gap between our matches? Man the scheduling of this World Cup has been terrible. Our players will be exhausted.

 

[hitthestump]

The same XI will have to play, none of the bench is selectable on current form.

It will be a test for the fast bowlers to give their 100% for the 3rd game within 7 days.

Amir appeared to be struggling with his shoulder today. Maybe he needs a rest.

 

[BakuGM]

The same XI will have to play, none of the bench is selectable on current form.

It will be a test for the fast bowlers to give their 100% for the 3rd game within 7 days.

Amir appeared to be struggling with his shoulder today. Maybe he needs a rest.

If we need to give rest than this is the game, I would ask Amir and Wahab if they need off and if either one of them do then just bring in Hasnain only for Afg game. We have enough power to overwhelm them so just to make sure the boys are rested for the BD encounter.

 

[pakistani pride]

Only a two day gap between our matches? Man the scheduling of this World Cup has been terrible. Our players will be exhausted.

Once you start winning you feed off that. They will be raring to go. Only worry is Amir seems a bit out of gas.

 

[Red Devil]

Once you start winning you feed off that. They will be raring to go. Only worry is Amir seems a bit out of gas.

I'm sure they'll be raring to go but 50 over matches are very exhausting bro. Players need some time off to recuperate and get as close to 100% as they possibly can. Very difficult for a team to play two 50 over games in 4 days.

 

[Syed1]

Need to beat them by 200 runs to remove all doubts regarding NRR.

 

[Syed1]

Only a two day gap between our matches? Man the scheduling of this World Cup has been terrible. Our players will be exhausted.

India play WI tomorrow and England with just a 2 day gap.... so most teams are suffering from ICC scheduling.

 

[jattafridi]

bat first against Afghanistan otherwise anything can happen

 

[hasanali]

Headingley is extremely flat.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Afghanistan has been embarrassingly bad.

Easy 2 points. Pakistan will boost the nrr in this game.

 

[Boi]

Headingley is extremely flat.

Wasn’t that flat in the last game played there when SL beat England.

But with the weather expected in the next few days I think it will be pretty similar deck to the one we had in the ODI series against England. Bat first, rack up a big score and then bundle them out.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

What's your take on Imam's tournament so far? He's been underwhelming imo. Just a shame we don't have a back-up opener in the squad. At least Fakhar scores his runs at a decent rate, even though he's been mediocre out in the middle, which is why he should be kept in the team, but shielded away from the new ball.

Imam's mighty average always works in his favour. People in the dressing room keep feeling he will deliver soon although he has had a tough time against the top 4. So far Imam has only been big talk.

Pakistan plays enough minnows for Imam to keep up his 50+ average, but he will never be respected by the fans. He needs to deliver against the big guns as well. A very slow 30 or 40 won't win hearts, big scores will do the trick.

Pak doesn't need a back up opener with Babar Azam there. He has been phenomenal opening at the T20 level. You also got Hafeez there. Fakhar could really use a demotion as he has had a torrid time against quality pacers. He might do better at 3.

But yea who dares to change a winning team?

 

[coy0607]

Imad is problem .Asif ali in if he has improved his fielding

As mediocre as Imad is with the bat - he's still a better batsmen than Asif.

Husnain as the 4th fast bowler could be impactful though. Especially against Afghan and BD who are generally better against spin.

 

[Jonty]

Lets not forget what happened in 2007... ireland

 

[shaykh]

So how do we think Afghanistan will line up?...

They dropped Zazai and Alam last game...

I imagine Shinwari will keep his place after his performance against Bangladesh...

Zazai back on the back of the warmup game?...

Zadran gonna keep his place?...is Hassan fit btw?...

 

[chacha kashmiri]

The only match i had tickets too, shouldn’t be that rammed

Headingley is where England just had a shocker thanks to Malinga so hopefully Pakistan are checking in the opposition

 

[Rayyman]

Bring in Hasnain or Hasan and rest Amir/Wahab.

 

[nextover666666]

How's the weather suspected like

 

[msb314]

Swap Haris and Hafeez positions

Agree here.

I would actually consider dropping Hafeez and giving Asif some game time

 

[jnaveen1980]

ECB will roll out a turner i suppose lol They are desperate to bring it home.

 

[msb314]

Bat first and post 350+

And hope to bowl them out for less than 200.

Vital to get a NRR boost...

 

[PakLFC]

Score over 300 batting Afghanistan out of the match. The loss some weeks back in the warm up match is history now that should not effect the lads in any way. Respect Afghanistan but absolutely no need to fear them.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Hard games over. Now it's time to do some minnow bashing for the next 2 games.

For this game, score 350+ and roll over AFG.

 

[CricFan2012]

Oh boy oh boy, we are about to BLAST Afghanistan out of Earth's orbit all the way to one of Jupiter's moons! WATCH OUT FOR FAKHAR ZAMAN who will be out for a double hundred!

Nah bro.

Fakhar doesn't strike me as someone who's that bright enough to negotiate Rashid and Mujeeb's variations, but he should get a decentish score for sure, he needs it badly

 

[Hasan123]

How's the weather suspected like

Hot.

 

[IAJ]

Imad is problem .Asif ali in if he has improved his fielding

Asif must play against Afg (preferably against BD too) in an attempt to boost NRR. Needs to catch up with NZ NRR.
2 loses for NZ may bring their NRR down to +.4/+.3. To be ahead of it PCT needs two wins with overall margin of 150 or with 25 overs spared. Rough estimates.

I don’t know what you guys are talking about. Imad gives you more options than Asif. Asif will make 25 runs from 17 balls at best. And Imad can easily match that. Besides with Imad you have potentially 10 overs and if he get’s drift going he will be Handy with the ball.

With Asif you are taking way too much risk for quick runs who more often than not don’t come. Should be a no-brainer to go with Imad, besides why change a team which has won two matches on trot?

 

[shane]

With Pakistan being the ultimate team of highs and lows, you can see that the Afghanistan game is a potential banana skin.

 

[aqeelPK]

Need to beat them by 200 runs to remove all doubts regarding NRR.

NRR equation is difficult to solve for us. We not only need our NRR to be +4 in next two matches but also would need NZ's -3.

 

[Greenstorm]

Malik can replace Imad if its a turning track. We have to somehow fit Husnain in there as well.

 

[hussain.r97]

I'd like to see them play 4 seamers. Don't need Imad for the next two games, let's give Hasnain a shot. Both Afghanistan and Bangladesh play spin better than pace, and Hasnain's pace and bounce will prove lethal.

 

[Fahdi]

Swap Hafeez and Haris. Hafeez coming above Haris is utter nonsense.

No need to drop Imad for Asif. If there is something there for the pacers bring in Hasnain in place of Imad and tell him to take their heads off. Afghanistan has struggled against bouncers.

 

[Fahdi]

I'd like to see them play 4 seamers. Don't need Imad for the next two games, let's give Hasnain a shot. Both Afghanistan and Bangladesh play spin better than pace, and Hasnain's pace and bounce will prove lethal.

I wouldn't risk it against Bangladesh. Imad is a safe option. BD can take apart Hasnain but Imad will most likely keep it economical.

 

[Fahdi]

And why the hell do people want Malik back all of a sudden?

 

[Arsalan Pro]

10 players( Fakhar, Imam, Babar, Haris, Sarfraz, Hafeez, Shadab, Amir, Wahab, Shaheen) are guaranteed starters for now, only concern is Imad Wasim who is neither good at batting or bowling. 0 wickets up till now in the tournament isn't good by any standards.

The problem is though that we have equally bad batsmen on the bench, and playing Mohammad Hasnain would significantly lengthen the tail.

There can be 3 line-ups depending on who from Imad/Malik/Hasnain plays:

A) The same team, no changes.

B)

1) Fakhar Zaman
2) Imam Ul Haq
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammad Hafeez
5) Haris Sohail
6) Sarfraz Ahmed(C)(Wk)
7) Shoaib Malik
8) Shadab Khan
9) Wahab Riaz
10) Mohammad Amir
11) Shaheen Afridi

C)

1) Fakhar Zaman
2) Imam Ul Haq
3) Babar Azam
4) Mohammad Hafeez
5) Haris Sohail
6) Sarfraz Ahmed(C)(Wk)
7) Shadab Khan
8) Wahab Riaz
9) Mohammad Amir
10) Shaheen Afridi
11) Mohammad Hasnain

 

[pakpassfan]

I would actually make a change. Wahab needs a rest. Bring in Hasnain.

agree,may be rest some of the players in next match as well,if we make the semi final our squad will be rested. pak dont needs full strength squad the beat the 2 minnows

 

[Obaidd]

We need full strength squads to beat Afg and Bang. Target at this stage should be to reach Semifinals not to win the cup.

Pragmatism >> Romanticism