Pakistan vs Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Today Match Prediction 29 Jun 2019

pak vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

Afghanistan will be looking to get back to winning ways when they will face Pakistan in the 36th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in Leeds on Saturday. Afghanistan Captain Gulbadin Naib will be hoping that the side can put in a better performance with the bat in this game.

Pakistan has notched up a comfortable victory over New Zealand in their previous game of the competition. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will be hoping that the side can continue their winning streak in this game.

On the other hand, Afghanistan has endured a tough time with back-to-back defeats in the competition. The batting has been a big disappointment for Afghanistan so far in this ongoing World Cup.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

On the other hand, Pakistan is coming into the match after an impressive win against New Zealand in their last match, courtesy brilliant performances from Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. 

With this result, Pakistan is placed at sixth position in the league table with seven points to their name. For Pakistan, the equation is simple as they need to win their remaining games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in order to qualify for the semifinals of the World Cup.

In the batting department, the team is relying heavily on Babar Azam to produce the bulk of the scoring as he is Pakistan’s leading run-getter with 333 runs at an average of 66.60 He is being well-supported by middle-order batsman Mohammad Hafeez, who has scored 207 runs at an average of 34.50.

Babar Azam produced scintillating innings for Pakistan on an Edgbaston pitch that provided sharp turn for the spinners. He scored unbeaten 101 runs off 127 balls with the help of eleven boundaries. He produced crucial partnerships with Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail to steer Pakistan to a comfortable win. Mohammad Hafeez also produced a much-needed score for the side against New Zealand. All-rounder scored 32 off 50 balls with the help of five boundaries.

Haris Sohail once again delivered special innings for Pakistan in a must-win game against New Zealand. Left-hander scored 68 off 76 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes. He will be keen to continue his good form with the bat in this game. In the bowling department, Left-arm quick Mohammad Amir has led the pace attack with 16 wickets so far in this World Cup. 

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the standout bowler for the side in their previous game against New Zealand. He bowled exceedingly well and finished with figures of 3 for 28 from his ten overs. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan also picked up the big wicket of Kane Williamson in the previous game.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain &wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Pakistan Actual Playing XI:

Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, SI Wasim, Babar Azam, F Zaman, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Imam-ul-Haq

Afghanistan Preview

Gulbadin Naib led-unit will go into this match after suffering a 62-run defeat at the hands of Bangladesh played on Monday. In this game, the team will be depending on Captain Gulbadin Naib to produce something special with the bat. Naib has chipped in with decent scores for the side in the previous three games of the competition. He will be looking to deliver continue his good form with the bat in this game as well.

Noor Ali Zadran and Asghar Afghan have been poor with the bat for Afghanistan in this ongoing World Cup. Afghan is certainly an experienced player in the batting lineup and will need to raise his game against Pakistan.

Hashmatullah Shahidi needs to lead from the front in the batting department, as he has already scored 197 runs in the event at an average of 28.14 with two half-centuries. He has been well supported by middle-order batsman Rahmat Shah, who has scored 157 runs in 7 matches at an average of 22.43. In the bowling department, Captain Gulbadin Naib has done exceedingly well with the ball as well and claimed 9 wickets in 7 matches, whereas Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi is leading the spin attack with 7 wickets so far in the competition.

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Gulbadin Naib (captain), Ikram Al Khil (wk), Asghar Afghan, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam/Dawlat Zadran.

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Ikram Ali Khil, Hamid Hassan, Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib, Hashmatullah Shahidi, N Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Samiullah Shenwari, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game will provide an even contest between the bat and ball. The spinners will get some assistance from the surface. The weather forecast for the game on Saturday is going to see sunny intervals with a gentle breeze.

Venue

Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds is going to host its second World Cup game between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan will need to adjust to the conditions at the venue. Afghanistan will take heart from the fact they have given a tough time to Pakistan in their last couple of one-day games.

Toss: To Bat

Both the teams will be looking to win the toss and bat first on this surface. The batting will not easy as spinners might considerable amount of turn in the second half of the game.