Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 36: Afghanistan v Pakistan Preview Dream11. AFG vs PAK Preview Dream11 Prediction

The 1992 comparisons are gaining even further momentum. If you’re an avid cricket fan and haven’t heard about it, where have you been hiding?

Pakistan’s next stop is Leeds, as they look towards an incredible Semi Final appearance given how bad they were against India. Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men have played beautifully (fielding aside) in their past two matches, defending a total and then nailing a chase against New Zealand. They are coming hard after England who have India and New Zealand to play, and while Pakistan look to have the easier games on paper, nothing can be taken for granted.

One thing that can’t be compared to 1992 is the presence of Afghanistan Cricket. The Afghanistan Cricket Board was founded in 1995 – a reminder of the incredible journey Afghanistan have taken to get here. Indeed, self-inflicted pain has hurt them in this tournament, losing all seven of their matches to date with an element of distraction and unrest within the squad. However, they have shown positives in their past two games, so can they translate that into a landmark win and ruin Pakistan’s qualification hopes?

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Key to a Pakistan win

It might have been easy to assume that Pakistan would be in trouble if Mohammad Amir had a bad day. However, despite his below-par performance against New Zealand, it was Shaheen Shah Afridi who stepped up to deliver the kind of display that underpinned the start to his ODI career. Pakistan’s first 30 overs against the Black Caps was so good that a repeat would be too much for Afghanistan, but their final 20 overs is a reminder of their inconsistencies. Can they get it right from start to finish, putting on a much improved fielding display?

Also, how good was Babar Azam against New Zealand? His idol is Virat Kohli, and he did what Kohli does best, steering Pakistan to a successful run chase whilst remaining unbeaten. He and Haris Sohail are in magnificent form, but what will Pakistan get out of their openers and Mohammad Hafeez – the man who keeps getting dismissed to part-timers? Fakhar Zaman also continues to underwhelm – his team needs him to find form with the race to the Semi Finals well and truly on. Can he and Imam get Pakistan off to a strong start with a solid stand?

Key to an Afghanistan win

Afghanistan gave it their all against India and Bangladesh. However, skipper Gulbadin Naib was again left to rue their poor fielding, which was the catalyst to conceding 20-30 runs too many against Bangladesh. Here, they have an opportunity to be of significant nuisance value to Pakistan, with their spinners key in producing another good performance with the ball. The pitch at Headingley had some assistance for the bowlers when Sri Lanka achieved a shock win over England, so Afghanistan will be out to make inroads early and then build on them. Can Mujeeb ur Rahman continue his excellent form? Rashid Khan has bounced back pretty well since his nightmare England game, but can he really own an innings?

However, the worry is Afghanistan’s batting. While they worked hard against India and Bangladesh, you felt wickets were around the corner due to a lack of strike rotation. Openers Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib have a big ask in overcoming two of Pakistan’s confident left-arm seamers. If they can, it could make Afghanistan extra confident and Pakistan that little bit more nervous. However, as games against New Zealand and South Africa showed, a good powerplay isn’t enough. The middle order needs to back it up.

Pitch and conditions

232 played 212 last week when Sri Lanka beat England. There could be some assistance for the spinners throughout the day with a warm day forecast.

Possible Playing 11

Aftab Alam has been sent home for disciplinary reasons – the latest news in what has been a pretty turbulent campaign for Afghanistan. In terms of the XI, they could stick with the same one that lost to Bangladesh, even though Dawlat Zadran continues to disappoint with the ball and in the field.

Afghanistan: 1. Rahmat Shah, 2. Gulbadin Naib (c), 3. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 4. Asghar Afghan, 5. Mohammad Nabi, 6. Samiullah Shenwari, 7. Najibullah Zadran, 8. Ikram Ali Khil (wk), 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Dawlat Zadran/Hamid Hassan, 11. Mujeeb ur Rahman

Pakistan should stick with the same team that beat New Zealand.

Pakistan: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Fakhar Zaman, 3. Babar Azam, 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Haris Sohail, 6. Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), 7. Imad Wasim, 8. Shadab Khan, 9. Wahab Riaz, 10. Mohammad Amir, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi

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Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• This will be the first meeting in World Cups between the sides.
• Pakistan have won all three ODIs against Afghanistan. However, the latest was a very tight three wicket win in last year’s Asia Cup.
• Mohammad Hafeez has been dismissed by Aaron Finch, Aiden Markram and Kane Williamson in CWC 2019.
• Pakistan will move ahead of England in the CWC 2019 standings if they win this match.

Match Prediction

It is sure to be an amazing atmosphere at Headingley.

There is so much for Pakistan to play for, and while Afghanistan are capable of having good moments, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s team should get the job done with the stakes so high. Pakistan to win.

Also read: Check out my five talking points from every CWC 2019 game! The latest:

India v West Indies: Should Shami have got man of the match?

Pakistan v New Zealand: Brilliant Babar emulates his idol Virat Kohli

England v Australia: Kevin Pietersen is mighty nervous now

Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version. For full screenshots, click here.

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