Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

AFG vs PAK 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | AFG vs PAK 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Hambantota Pitch Report

Pakistan have won all four ODIs against Afghanistan. However, the battles have been much closer than the head-to-head suggests.

The men in green have won the last two ODIs by three wickets against the Afghans, with the last meeting a thrilling, hard-fought clash in the 2019 World Cup. Also, the two sides have played out magnificent contests in T20 cricket in recent years, which gives this series a competitive feel.

With the number of bilateral ODIs on the decline, this three-match series represents a significant opportunity for both teams to build combinations and confidence ahead of the fast-approaching Asia and World Cup.

Pakistan have played eight ODIs so far this year, while Afghanistan have played just six. The Afghans were outstanding in Bangladesh in July, whereas Pakistan have gone nearly four months since their last match at home against New Zealand.

Victory is most important between the two neighbouring countries, but so too is the performance. Both teams will be aiming to shake off rust as quickly as possible. With the quality on display, one can expect a good contest.

AFG vs PAK 1st ODI Possible Playing XIs

Afghanistan: 1. Ibrahim Zadran, 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Rashid Khan, 8. Azmatullah Omarzai, 9. Fazalhaq Farooqi, 10. Noor Ahmad, 11. Wafadar Momand/Abdul Rahman

Pakistan: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Babar Azam (c), 4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5. Agha Salman/Mohammad Haris, 6. Iftikhar Ahmed, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Naseem Shah

AFG vs PAK 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction – Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Afghanistan:

• Ibrahim Zadran has struck 746 runs at an average of 67.8 and strike rate of 86.5 in ODIs since the start of 2022.
• Like Ibrahim, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has a tough battle against Shaheen Shah Afridi. But Gurbaz has performed well against left-arm seam in ODIs since the start of 2022: 120 balls, 109 runs, one dismissal.
• Mohammad Nabi is striking at 92.7 in ODIs over the past two years. Also, he has taken 18 wickets at an average of 23.3 and economy of 4.33 in this period.
• Rashid Khan has a good record against Babar Azam. He has dismissed once in 20 balls in ODIs (23 runs) and six times in 65 balls in all T20s (79 runs). He has also dismissed Rizwan four times in 41 balls in T20s (34 runs).
• Fazalhaq Farooqi’s powerplay and death bowling will be key for Afghanistan. Since the start of 2022, Farooqi has picked up 16 wickets at an average of 19.9 between overs 1-10.
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman will be important against Pakistan’s left-handers. He dismissed Fakhar Zaman for a duck back in the 2019 World Cup, where he finished with 2/34 off ten overs.

Pakistan:

• Imam-ul-Haq has struck 692 runs at an average of 57.7 and strike rate of 91.5 in ODIs since the start of last year.
• Fakhar Zaman is also averaging 50+ in this period. The left-hander has scored 823 runs at an average of 51.4 and strike rate of 89.5.
• Babar Azam has hit scores of 66 and 45 in two ODIs against Afghanistan. In the past 20 months, Babar is averaging a superb 69.00 in 17 ODIs (1,104 runs).
• Is this the time Mohammad Rizwan continues to find his feet in ODIs? In eight matches this year, Rizwan has struck 343 runs at an average of 68.6 and strike rate of 94.8.
• Wicket-taker Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4/47 against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup. He has a promising matchup against Ibrahim Zadran. Zadran has been dismissed three times for 17 runs in 42 balls against left-arm seam in ODIs.
• Shadab Khan will be key with his all-round ability. He has done well against Afghanistan in the T20 format, scoring 108 runs (avg. 27.00, SR 124.14) and taking five wickets (econ. 5.32).

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 4, Afghanistan 0, Pakistan 4.
• Imam-ul-Haq against right-arm seam since the start of 2022: 420 balls, 350 runs, avg. 58.3, SR 83.3.
• Naseem Shah in ODIs: 8 matches, 23 wickets, avg. 15.04, econ. 4.73.
• Haris Rauf averages 33.90 when bowling second (11 wickets) compared to 26.17 bowling first (28 wickets).
• Hashmatullah Shahidi struck 97* in the 2018 Asia Cup against Afghanistan.

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota Pitch Report and Weather

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan played three ODIs on this ground in June. The average first innings score in that series was 235.67, brought down by Afghanistan’s 116 in the third ODI. The chasing team won twice.

Expect an easy-paced surface in this match, which should be true for batting. A mostly sunny day is forecast with a top of about 32 degrees. Dew is a possibility in the evening.

AFG vs PAK 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today Match 22 August 2023

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

AFG vs PAK 1st ODI Match Prediction – Who will win?

Could we be in for another Afghanistan-Pakistan classic? There is every chance. However, Pakistan, with their depth and experience, should win.