🏏Asia Cup 2022 Super 4 - Match 4 : Afghanistan vs Pakistan 🏏

07/09/2022

With a win already in the Super 4, Pakistan come into their encounter against Afghanistan with renewed confidence. Their emphatic win over India showcased some tactical versatility that towered over the lack of form of some key players. If they win this fixture on Wednesday (September 7), both India and Afghanistan will be eliminated from the Asia Cup.

On the other hand, Afghanistan suffered a defeat after two successive wins and will be looking to get their campaign back on track in this must-win encounter. They will head in with a mild advantage of having played a game more than Pakistan at the Sharjah Cricket stadium.

However, the loss against Sri Lanka opened up a few chinks in the armour particularly in their middle order stability, with the form of their captain Mohammad Nabi being the biggest question mark. Their top-order firepower led by openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai has papered over these cracks largely over the course of the tournament and will be expected to shoulder the burden once again. Their newer challenge will be their abilities against a high-pace attack that Pakistan possesses.

Pakistan float on a similar boat with regards to form, but have found ways to overcome any concerns on both fronts. Injuries to frontline fast bowlers have also not come in the way of their bowling strength, with the likes of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz bossing the spin numbers for the tournament. That they will operate in a period where Afghanistan have been struggling puts Pakistan in a further position of strength.

Encounters between the two teams have come with an added edge previously. Adding to that will be the tightly-packed event such as the Asia Cup, where the result of the game is set to have a significant bearing on the fortunes of other teams in the competition.

Pakistan🥳

sorry Afghanistan aapko alvida kehne ka time aagaya hai🥺

Afghanistan

Injury/Unavailability: There is unlikely to be any change unless forced by injury.

Tactics and match-ups: The form of Mohammad Nabi will be a big concern for Afghanistan but Rashid Khan will once again be a key player for them. The legspinner has dismissed Babar Azam five times in as many innings in T20 cricket - thrice in PSL and once each in T20Is and T20 Blast.

Probable XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi(c), Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Samiullah Shinwari, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan

Injuries/Unavailability: A win in the previous encounter will ease their worries even as they sweat over the fitness Mohammad Rizwan who had jarred his knee in the game against India.

Tactics and match-ups: There will be concern over the form of the likes of Fakhar Zaman, who averages just over 18 in the last four years, and that of Babar Azam, whose average has slipped from 43 to 21 since the 2021 World Cup.

Probable XI: Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah

May best team win the match👍🏼

The team batting first will be looking to score big, as has been the case in two out of three matches played in Sharjah. Pakistan posted 193 against Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka chased down Afghanistan's 175.

Three matches have been played so far in Sharjah in this Asia Cup campaign. Sri Lanka chased 176 to win their first Super 4 game against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Teams have fancied chasing at this venue and the template is expected to remain the same.

Talking about the weather conditions for the PAK vs AFG game, the temperature in the evening is expected to be around 33 degrees. Humidity is expected to be close to 50 degrees with dew also playing a key role. The captain who wins the toss should definitely favour chasing.

Did you know?

- Shadab Khan is yet to be hit for a six in this year's tournament.

- Nabi has been dismissed for single figure score in each of the last seven innings.

Pakistan have won both their T20Is against Afghanistan in the past.

Shadab Khan's economy rate of 5.43 is the best among Pakistan players (with a minimum of five overs) at this Asia Cup.

Rashid Khan has dismissed Babar five times in T20s, conceding 58 runs off 48 balls

A win in the previous encounter will ease their worries even as they sweat over the fitness Mohammad Rizwan who had jarred his knee in the game against India.

Afghanistan suffered a defeat after two successive wins and will be looking to get their campaign back on track in this must-win encounter. They will head in with a mild advantage of having played a game more than Pakistan at the Sharjah Cricket stadium.

Thanks for the thread and for tagging me, Raji. 🤗

This is another interesting match to watch.

Thanks for tagging me though I was waiting it ,thanks again.