Afghanistan vs Pakistan, AFG vs PAK, Today Match Prediction 26 March 2023

afg vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Afghanistan displayed excellent skills and executed their game plan well to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The side rode comfortably to victory by 6 wickets on a tricky batting surface. The Afghans can win the series in this game and will aim for it in this contest. Pakistani players must put the last game's performance behind them and look to level the series.  

Pakistani batsmen could only manage 92 runs in the last game as Afghanistan's spinners foxed them with their skill and experience. The wicket isn't conducive to stroke play, hindering Pakistan's prospects. We expect a close contest as Pakistan looks to save the series, and the Afghans aim for their first series win against Pakistan. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Afghanistan Preview

Rashid Khan couldn't have asked for a better performance from his players. They not only won the last game, but their performance would have hurt Pakistan's confidence. As the side stands on the cusp of history, Khan shall like his players to deliver a strong performance in the game and win their first-ever series against Pakistan.  

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran must set up a big stand at the top, which will be important on this challenging surface. Mohammad Nabi did well in the last game and needs to anchor the middle order with Gulbadin Naib and Karim Janat. Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, and Azmatullah Omarzai add firepower to this batting line-up.  

Their bowlers ticked all boxes in the last game. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai must deliver early wickets and put the Pakistanis on the mat. Mujeeb ur Rahman, Nabi, and Rashid Khan were brilliant in the last game, posing a threat to their opponents. Naveen-ul-Haq would like to improve his length and do well in the supporting role. 

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Karim Janat, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Usman Ghani, Naveen ul Haq, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi

Pakistan Preview

The Pakistani side lost the plot in the last game, misreading the surface. Skipper Shadab Khan needs to lift the spirits in the camp and lead from the front as the most experienced player on the side. Afghanistan would come for the kill, and the Pakistani skipper shall like to see his players play with a positive mindset.  

Openers Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris struggled in the last game, and the team will need better efforts. Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, and Azam Khan failed in the last game and must do well here. Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf have a lot of experience, and the team will need a good show from them in the lower middle order.  

The bowling attack put up a brave show in the last game, and they will need good spells from Zaman Khan and Naseem Shah with the new ball. Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and  Ihsanullah will fancy their chances on this wicket, and a good show will be expected from them in this game.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Shadab Khan (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Ihsanullah

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Naseem Shah, Azam Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan, Shadab Khan, Ihsanullah

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It will be great weather over Sharjah, but the heat and humidity will test the players' fitness levels. The track has been slow, and the ball has surprised the batsmen. They will need to be watchful here. The side batting first will target a score of around 160 runs to feel comfortable on this surface.  

Venue Details

Sharjah Cricket Stadium is a small ground and perhaps among the highest-scoring ones in the world when it comes to big scores in T20 cricket. The ground is small, and the outfield is lightning-fast. Batsmen enjoy this surface. There isn't much for the fast bowlers on this track, but spinners do well when the ball stops on the batsmen.

Toss: To Bowl

It was a tricky surface in the last game, where the ball stopped on the batsmen. Putting up scores on such wickets is never easy, and both captains will consider the last game's result at the toss. The side winning the toss with opt to bowl first.