Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey

AFG vs PAK 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Today | Sharjah Pitch Report

Pakistan and Afghanistan have played some absolute belters in World Cups and Asia Cups. So, when these two teams line up for their first ever bilateral T20I series, there are certain to be millions and millions of keen eyeballs to see what happens.

The Afghans are one of world cricket’s incredible stories, with their journey over the past 15 years one of inspiration. In that period, they have grown to become one of the most exciting teams to watch in white-ball cricket, and they are a tough nut to crack in UAE conditions. However, the key is whether Rashid Khan can lead the team well, as well as whether the batting has enough to counter what looks to be a skillful Pakistan attack.

Speaking of Pakistan, it is not often they enter a T20I without Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan. Here, they are without both. The star opening pair have both been rested, with opportunities handed to a number of performers in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL). Shadab Khan will lead, and he will be after a winning start to the series.

Match Details

• Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
• Time: 8:00pm (local), 9:30pm (IST).
• For more cricket fixtures around the world, visit Fixture Calendar.

AFG vs PAK 1st T20 2023 Possible Playing XIs

Rashid Khan will lead Afghanistan. Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are in the squad. Gulbadin Naib could bat higher up the order if they choose.

Afghanistan: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Afsar Zazai (wk), 4. Najibullah Zadran, 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Karim Janat, 7. Gulbadin Naib, 8. Rashid Khan (c), 9. Azmatullah Omarzai, 10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan have rested key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi. PSL stars including Mohammad Haris and Ihsanullah could line up today.

Pakistan: 1. Mohammad Haris, 2. Shan Masood, 3. Saim Ayub/Abdullah Shafique, 4. Shadab Khan (c), 5. Azam Khan (wk), 6. Iftikhar Ahmed, 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Imad Wasim, 9. Faheem Ashraf/Zaman Khan, 10. Mohammad Wasim, 11. Ihsanullah

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Afghanistan:

• Karim Janat had a dream series recently against UAE. The all-rounder smashed 116 runs in three T20Is at a strike rate of 173.13, including two fifties.
• Ibrahim Zadran scored the most runs for Afghanistan in T20Is in 2022. The top order batsman hit 367 runs at an average of 36.70 and strike rate of 109.55.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz has hit 223 runs in eight matches at an average of 27.88 and strike rate of 142.04 at Sharjah. This includes three 30+ scores.
• Rashid Khan has the most wickets of any bowler at Sharjah. The champion legspinner has taken 31 wickets in 22 matches at an average of 17.52 and economy of 6.30.
• Also, Rashid has taken four wickets in two matches against Pakistan. He averages 12.75 with an economy of 6.38.
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman at Sharjah: 15 inns, 342 runs, avg. 16.46, econ. 6.93.

Pakistan:

• Mohammad Haris is one to watch. He smashed 350 runs in PSL 2023 at an average of 31.81 and incredible strike rate of 186.17.
• Shadab Khan, who had a quiet PSL 2023 campaign, was player of the match against Afghanistan on this ground in the 2022 Asia Cup. The all-rounder hit 36 (26) and took 1/27.
• Azam Khan is a player Afghanistan needs to guard against. He scored 282 runs in the recent PSL at an average of 40.28 and strike rate of 161.14.
• Imad Wasim had a magnificent PSL campaign. The Karachi captain hit 404 runs at an average of 134.66 and strike rate of 170.46. He also took nine wickets at an economy of 7.93.
• Ihsanullah took the second-most wickets in PSL 2023. The young pacer picked up 22 wickets at an average of 16.17 and strike rate of 12.4.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 3, Afghanistan 0, Pakistan 3.
• All three meetings have been close. In 2013, Pakistan won by six wickets with just one ball to spare. In 2021, Asif Ali hit four sixes to seal a win in the Asia Cup, before a one-wicket win in a memorable Asia Cup 2022 clash thanks to Naseem Shah.
• Rashid Khan has dismissed Shadab Khan three times in 19 deliveries in T20s. Rashid recently took 20 wickets in just 11 matches at the PSL.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi has taken 20 wickets in 51.4 overs at the death in all T20s since the start of 2022.
• Iftikhar Ahmed has smashed 33 sixes in 20 T20 innings so far in 2023.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

The Sharjah track typically favours slower bowling. Back in the 2021 T20 World Cup, the average first innings score was 150.18, followed by 157 in the 2022 Asia Cup. So, any score in the region of 150-160 can be competitive.

A clear evening is forecast with temperatures to hover around the low-mid 20s.

AFG vs PAK 1st T20 2023 Dream11 Prediction Today 24 March 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:

Fan2Play Prediction

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Base team:

• Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Haris
• Batters: Najibullah Zadran
• All-rounders: Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan
• Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi

AFG vs PAK 1st T20 Match Prediction – Who will win?

This has the makings of a cracking clash. With Pakistan missing key players, this could be Afghanistan’s night. Afghanistan to win.