Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

AFG vs PAK 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report | AFG vs PAK 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Hambantota Pitch Report

Pakistan’s strong bowling attack sent a warning shot ahead of the Asia and World Cup, dismantling Afghanistan for just 59. Predictably, Afghanistan’s wily spin attack was excellent on a slow Hambantota pitch, but the batsmen had no answers to Pakistan’s pace battery, folding inside 20 overs.

Ahead of big tournaments, the batting remains the key concern for the Afghans. Whether they have enough runs to counter quality attacks is the question, so today is a big test of their mettle less than 48 hours after a heavy defeat. Indeed, eyes will be on their experienced players to lead the way and set a platform against Pakistan’s attack.

For Pakistan, their batting left plenty to be desired. Although it was a slow pitch, their inability to rotate strike at times is cause for improvement. They will want Babar Azam to arrest his recent slide in form, while attention will also be on the middle order in the quest to either rebuild or finish the innings.

However, when it comes to the bowling attack, the trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah is cause for great optimism and excitement.

AFG vs PAK 2nd ODI Possible Playing XIs

Azmatullah Omarzai picked up an injury in the first ODI. Given spin is their strength, Afghanistan may look to pick Noor Ahmad. Najibullah Zadran is out of the series due to a knee injury.

Afghanistan: 1. Ibrahim Zadran, 2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5. Ikram Alikhil, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Rashid Khan, 8. Abdul Rahman, 9. Noor Ahmad, 10. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pakistan may stick with the same team.

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

AFG vs PAK 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction – Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Afghanistan:

• Ibrahim Zadran is vital to Afghanistan’s hopes. The opener has scored 746 runs at an average of 62.2 in ODIs since the start of 2022.
• Hashmatullah Shahidi has a score of 97* against Pakistan. He achieved this back in the 2018 Asia Cup. However, the question will be whether he can counter the pace.
• Afghanistan will count on Mohammad Nabi’s experience and all-round ability. He took 2/34 in the opening ODI, dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed and Imam-ul-Haq.
• Nabi will be seeking to improve on his batting record against Pakistan in ODIs: 5 inns, 82 runs, avg. 16.40.
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman has taken seven wickets in three ODIs against Pakistan at an incredible economy of just 3.33. He dismissed big guns Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan two days ago.
• Rashid Khan needs no introduction. He has a good record against Babar Azam in white-ball cricket, dismissing him seven times for 102 runs in 85 balls across ODIs and T20s.

Pakistan:

• Imam-ul-Haq has struck 753 runs at an average of 57.9 in ODIs since the start of 2022. He was the only half-centurion in the opening ODI, hitting a hard-fought 61.
• Babar Azam has scored 24, 11, 9, 6 and 0 in his last five innings across the LPL and opening ODI against Afghanistan.
• Since the start of last year, Babar has struck 1,104 runs at an average of 64.9 in ODIs.
• Shadab Khan can fetch fantasy points with his all-round skills. He was Pakistan’s second-highest scorer (39) and took a wicket in his only over in the first ODI.
• Haris Rauf was magnificent two days ago. The fast bowler took the Afghanistan batting lineup apart with 5/18.
• Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken eight wickets in three ODIs against Afghanistan. He dismissed Ibrahim Zadran in the first match. Zadran has struggled against left-arm seam in ODI cricket (44 balls, 17 runs, four dismissals), so Shaheen has an excellent matchup here.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 5, Afghanistan 0, Pakistan 5.
• Afghanistan’s 59 all-out is the lowest-ever score against Pakistan in men’s ODIs.
• Three of Afghanistan’s top four were dismissed for a duck in the first ODI.
• Imam-ul-Haq has scored two half-centuries in three ODIs against Afghanistan.
• Rahmat Shah has scores of 36, 35 and 0 in ODIs against Pakistan. He could be called upon to bowl as well.

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

An overcast day is forecast with a top of about 33 degrees. No rain is expected.

It was a very slow surface in the opening ODI, but the Pakistan seamers found good pace and carry under lights. Also, in the Sri Lanka-Afghanistan series in June, the average first innings score was 236. A score in this region can be a very competitive one today.

AFG vs PAK 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today Match 24 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 2nd ODI Match Prediction – Who will win?

Pakistan to win.