Match 22: Pakistan vs Afghanistan Match Date, Time, Squad, Venue, Prediction, Pitch Report, Key Players, Head to Head, Team Analysis

 As both teams fight for their spot in the tournament’s knockout stages, fans can anticipate a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and determination from these sides.

Pakistan vs Afghanistan CWC 2023 Squad:

PAK Squad: Babar Azam(c), Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan(wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Haris(wk), Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

AFG Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Ikram Alikhil(wk), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq, Fareed Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan World Cup Match Date & Time:

The highly anticipated match between Afghanistan and Pakistan will be scheduled on Monday, 23 October 2023. The game will kick off at 2:00 pm(IST). The Cricket Stadium in Chennai will host the match between these two sides. Both teams have rich cricketing history, thus making this clash must watch for the fans.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI World Cup Venue:

M. A. Chidambaram Stadium will host the exhilarating contest between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is located in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The stadium is also known as Chepauk Stadium. It has a capacity of around 50,000 spectators. The stadium’s crowd is reputed as the most knowledgeable and appreciative in the country. It is India’s second oldest cricket stadium, after Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India. The stadium has hosted seven matches across three ODI World Cups in 1987, 1996, and 2011.

MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report:

The pitch provides help to both batsmen and bowlers. Generally, the pitch is solid and dry, which assists the spin bowlers. As the match progresses, it tends to slow down, which makes stroke playing difficult in the second innings. Hence most teams choose to bat first after winning the toss. As the tournament is scheduled for October-November, the dew will also play a vital role during matches.

M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium Records:

Total Matches: 23

Batting First Won: 14

Batting Second Won: 8

No Result: 1

Average 1st Innings Score: 230

Highest Total: Asia XI 337/7(50 Ov) vs Africa XI

Lowest Total: Kenya 69/10(23.5 Ov) vs New Zealand

Afg vs Pak head-to-head:

Both sides have a rich history in the cricket world and are known for their fierce on-field battles. In head-to-head matches, Pakistan and Afghanistan have faced each other in 4 matches in one-day internationals. Out of these four games, Pakistan have won all 4, whereas Afghanistan have come out victorious on zero occasion. 

Pakistan vs Afghanistan head to head in World Cups:

Afghanistan made its first World Cup appearance in the 2015 World Cup, and the upcoming World Cup is Afghanistan’s third consecutive ODI World Cup. The last World Cup edition didn’t go well for the Afghan side, as they lost all their matches and finished last on the points table. Now they look to turn things around in WC 2023. The 1992 World Cup Champions, Pakistan, is among the top contenders for the semi-final spot in the upcoming tournament. In World Cups, both sides come against each other only once, and that was in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

World Cup 2019

29 June 2019, Headingley, Leeds.

AFG: 227/9(50 Ov) vs PAK: 230/7(49.4 Ov)

Pakistan won by three wickets.

Pak vs Afg 2023 World Cup Team Analysis:

With a blend of experienced players and promising talents, the Pakistani squad looks ready to take on the challenges of the prestigious tournament. Babar Azam will be leading Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He is known for his elegant batting style and consistent run-scoring ability. Pakistan will rely heavily on their seam bowling attack and play a crucial role in pursuing the coveted trophy. Pakistan’s pace battery comprises Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.

The current captain of the Afghan side is Hashmatullah Shahidi, one of the most accomplished batters in the 50-over cricket. Vice-captain Najibullah Zadran is also the mainstream part of the team in the batting lineup. The young opening batter Ibrahim Zadran has an average of 60+ in the ODI and scored three centuries in his first 11 matches. In fast bowling, they have the likes of Fazal Haq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq the two leading performers in recent times. Their contributions will be vital for the team’s bowling strategy.

Key Players in the PAK vs AFG World Cup Match:

As both teams gear up for this crucial match, all eyes will be on some of the key players expected to impact the game significantly. Imam ul Haq, known for his impeccable batting skills and ability to anchor innings, will undoubtedly be one of the players to watch in this high-stakes encounter. His consistent performances have been instrumental in Pakistan’s success over the years, and he will aim to continue his fine form. Another player expected to shine in this match is Najibullah Zadran from Afghanistan. The left-handed talented batsman has already made a name for himself with his explosive batting style. Zadran’s ability to score quick runs at crucial moments can turn the game in favor of his team.

Pakistan vs Afghanistan World Cup 2023 Prediction:

In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, Pakistan takes on the underdog status-holding Afghanistan in match number 22 of the Cricket World Cup 2023. With both teams eager for a win, this clash has all the ingredients to provide fans with an enthralling display of cricketing prowess. Pakistan, known for its strong batting lineup, enters this match as favorites. Led by their dynamic captain Babar Azam, they boast a formidable top order comprising power hitters like Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed. Historically, Pakistan has had a stronghold over Afghanistan in international cricket. 

The Men in Green boasts a formidable record against the Afghan side, having convincingly won all their past encounters. Overall, Pakistan has a dominant performance against Afghanistan. On the other hand, with a strong squad of experienced veterans and promising young talent, the Afghanistan Cricket Team is ready to impose a tough challenge against Pakistan. They had the potential to upset a big team like Pakistan. As both teams gear up for this crucial clash, the pitch conditions, toss factor, and weather forecast are likely to play a significant role in determining the match’s outcome.