Afghanistan will host Pakistan in the 3 matches ODI series starting on August 22nd. The series is played in a neutral country Sri Lanka with Hambantota and Colombo considered as the host cities. This series will serve as the dress rehearsal for both sides for the upcoming Asia Cup which is played in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Match Details:
Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 1st ODI
Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota
Date & Time: August 22nd, at 3:00 PM IST and Local Time
Live Streaming: Fancode
What is the pitch report for AFG vs PAK, 1st ODI?
The bowlers will get enough purchase from the surface having said the batters will be rewarded if they rotate the strike and play long. Overall we can conclude, it’s an evenly poised surface and can expect a good game of cricket.
Remember Farooqi’s match-defining bowling display!? ⚡
Relive @FazalFarooqi10‘s amazing new-ball bowling display against Pakistan in the 2nd T20I back in March. 💪#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #SuperColaCup | #ByaMaidanGato https://t.co/YsXpN1SVh7
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 21, 2023
Recent form:
Afghanistan: Lost Won Won Lost Lost
Pakistan: Lost Won Won Won Won
AFG vs PAK, 1st ODI Probable Winners:
Pakistan are expected to win this match.
What is the expected, Probable Playing XIs for AFG vs PAK, 1st ODI?
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Saleem Safi, Noor Ahmad
Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel / Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Getting into the Groove 🤩
📸: Snapshots from AfghanAtalan’s practice session as they prepare for the Super Cola Cup three-match ODI series against Pakistan, powered by Marhaba Auctions. 💪#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvPAK | #SuperColaCup | #ByaMaidanGato pic.twitter.com/u8JLBFXHSg
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 20, 2023
Injury Updates:
As of now the players are doing well and fit. It will be added when there is an update.
What are the Top Picks, players for Dream11, My11circle and MPL for AFG vs PAK, 1st ODI?
Top Pick – Batter
Fakhar Zaman is the top run-getter for Pakistan this year, scoring 520 runs in 8 matches at an average of 74.28 which comprises 3 centuries and a half-century. He was instrumental in the 4-1 win series over New Zealand where he hammered 363 runs in 5 matches at an average of 90.75.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Agha Salman has got all the desirable qualities to become a regular all-rounder in the Pakistan ODI squad. In his 11 matches ODI career so far, he has scored 337 runs at an average of 48.14 and picked up 3 wickets.
Top Pick – Bowler
Haris Rauf is a fierce fast bowler who operates mainly in the middle and death overs for Pakistan. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in the previous series against New Zealand with 9 scalps in 4 matches.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has experience playing in Sri Lankan conditions as he was part of Jaffna Kings in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League. He finished as the top run-scorer in the 3 matches series against Bangladesh, scoring 173 runs in 3 matches.
X-Factor:
Ibrahim Zadran has a sound technique and knows exactly how to build the innings. Including a century, he added 142 runs in the 3 matches series against Bangladesh.
🔝-notch skills on display as @IftiMania gets game-ready! 🔥🏏#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/PhbXN8OZzf
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 21, 2023
What are the fantasy suggested teams for AFG vs PAK, 1st ODI?
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Babar Azam, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Agha Salman, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf (vc)
2. Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (c), Rahmat Shah, Imam ul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Ibrahim Zadran (vc), Mohammad Nabi, Shadab Khan, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Haris Rauf
Sweating it out in the nets for the next mission 🎯#AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/EMV2nhT4mD
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 20, 2023
Pre-Match Analysis:
Afghanistan are growing in confidence at the highest level in the white ball circuit and their 2-1 ODI series win over Bangladesh last month is the testimony of their character. They have retained a similar squad from the previous series led by Hashmatullah Shahidi with teenager Noor Ahmad making his return to the ODI setup after playing his last ODI against Sri Lanka in June this year. Rashid Khan who had a hectic schedule this year forced himself out of The Hundred and he still makes it to the Afghanistan squad for this series. With the upcoming marquee events Asia Cup and World Cup in the sub-continent, it’s time for them to get started with their preparations.
Meanwhile, Pakistan under new coach Grant Bradburn looking to adopt the aggressive style of play that fetched them good results in the Test series against Sri Lanka. Men in Green have played only ODIs against New Zealand this year where they won one and lost one. Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi are coming into this series after completing The Hundred Commitments. Faheem Ashraf who hasn’t played an ODI since July 2021 makes a cut into the squad. Shan Masood who was part of the side against New Zealand hasn’t been considered for selection. Uncapped in the ODIs Tayyab Tahir makes it to the squad after his extraordinary show in the ACC Emerging Cup last month.