United Arab Emirates vs Afghanistan, UAE vs AFG, Today Match Prediction 16 February 2023

uae vs afg Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the first game in the 3-match series, and both teams shall eye an early lead. Afghanistan comes into this series under a new leader, and they will look to overcome the losing spree they had during the World Cup. For the United Arab Emirates, it is a good opportunity to lock horns with a stronger side and improve their game in home conditions.  

Afghanistan has lost only once against the United Arab Emirates and won all other games. They have two of the best spinners in the world who will enjoy bowling on this surface. UAE is a good side, and the players have played a lot of cricket in the last 12 months. They play at home, and it will make the game interesting. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

United Arab Emirates Preview

Chundangapoyil Rizwan will look for a perfect start to the 3-match series. The players know these conditions well, and the skipper would like to see them take advantage of them. It won’t be easy against Afghanistan, a champion side, and Rizwan shall have to lead from the front.  

Muhammad Waseem and Ansh Tandon must put runs on the board at the top. Vriitya Aravind will have to negotiate the Afghan spin attack, and score runs in the middle order with Basil Hameed and Zawar Farid. Chundangapoyil Rizwan, Aayan Afzal Khan, and Rohan Mustafa need to use the long handle and add quick runs down the order.  

Rohan Mustafa and Akif Raja must bowl good lines with the new ball, as their opponents have good hitters at the top. Basil Hameed did well during the World Cup and will need support from Junaid Siddique and Zahoor Khan. Zawar Farid and Aayan Afzal Khan add to the side’s bowling options.

United Arab Emirates Predicted Playing XI:

Chundangapoyil Rizwan (c), Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Rohan Mustafa, Basil Hameed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Akif Raja, Ansh Tandon, Aayan Afzal Khan, Zawar Farid

United Arab Emirates Actual Playing XI:

Rohan Mustafa, Chundangapoyil Rizwan, Sanchit Sharma, Mohammad Waseem, Aayan Khan, Muhammad Jawadullah, Zahoor Khan, Basil Hameed, Junaid Siddique, Vriitya Aravind, Zawar Farid

Afghanistan Preview

Rashid Khan takes over the hot seat as the selectors decided to drop Mohammad Nabi from the side. He would like to start this stint of his captaincy with a win. They had a poor campaign in Australia during the World Cup, failing to win a single game. Khan will look for a better show from his team on a surface that would suit them.   

Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai must deliver a strong start in this game, as their opponents have a good bowling attack. Rahmat Shah will look to anchor the innings with Ibrahim Zadran and Najibullah Zadran in the middle order. Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, and  Azmatullah Omarzai add to the team’s batting strength down the order.  

Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb ur Rahman will like to use the new ball well and strike early in this game. Rashid Khan will look to work his magic in the middle overs, and he will enjoy bowling on this surface. Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik, and Gulbadin Naib add variety to the attack. 

Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:

Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hazratullah Zazai

Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:

Naveen ul Haq, Hazratullah Zazai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Afsar Zazai, Karim Janat, Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies would be clear over Abu Dhabi on February 16, and we would have a good contest. The pitch has slowed down in the last couple of years, and this is creating doubts in the minds of the batsmen. The side that bats first here would be happy to reach a score of 180 runs.

Venue Details

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, is a large ground, but the outfield is lightning quick. Batsmen have enjoyed batting on this surface and scoring runs. The conditions here are tough for the fast bowlers, but we have seen spinners enjoy bowling on this surface as they can turn the ball sharply.

Toss: To Bowl

At this venue, the side chasing always has an advantage. The pitch has been a good one to bat on where the sides have enjoyed chasing. Thus, the two skippers at the toss would not have the slightest of doubts in their minds about bowling first.