Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
PAK vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Fantasy Cricket Tips Possible XI Pitch Report: ODI World Cup 2023 Match 22 | Chennai Pitch Report
There is sure to be drama whenever Pakistan and Afghanistan meet in World Cups. And this promises to be no different.
In fact, this has the potential to be one of the games of the tournament so far, with so much on the line for two flawed but exciting teams. Babar Azam’s Pakistan, who were in many pundits’ top four before the start of this World Cup, need to get moving. Two straight defeats have left them in a challenging position, with their bowling in particular under the microscope after conceding another big score last time out against Australia.
For Afghanistan, they have a golden chance to break their duck against Pakistan in ODIs. They have come so close on a number of occasions, including the 2019 World Cup classic as well as a one-wicket defeat back in August. However, consistency is the key for the Afghans, which was on display in their last two games as they succumed meekly to New Zealand after a magnificent victory against England.
The question is – which of the two unpredictable teams will deliver when it counts on the day? In this article, we will look at the key players to watch, stats, pitch report and Dream11 prediction as part of our World Cup fantasy cricket tips for this crucial match.
ODI World Cup 2023 Match 22 – PAK vs AFG Possible Playing XIs
A key question for Pakistan is Shadab Khan or Usama Mir. Mir had some promising moments with the ball against Australia, and will enjoy bowling at Chennai more than Bengaluru. However, Shadab provides that extra batting depth.
Pakistan: 1. Imam-ul-Haq, 2. Abdullah Shafique, 3. Babar Azam (c), 4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5. Saud Shakeel, 6. Iftikhar Ahmed, 7. Mohammad Nawaz, 8. Shadab Khan/Usama Mir, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11. Haris Rauf
Afghanistan could stick with the same playing XI.
Afghanistan: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5. Azmatullah Omarzai, 6. Ikram Alikhil (wk), 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10. Naveen -ul-Haq, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi
PAK vs AFG Dream11 Prediction – Fantasy Cricket Tips
Pakistan:
- Babar Azam must step up. His numbers in the last four white-ball events have been poor. The Pakistan captain has struck three fifties in five ODIs against Afghanistan, with a total of 224 runs at an average of 44.80.
- Mohammad Rizwan is a must-pick in Dream11 fantasy teams. He in excellent touch. The keeper-batsman is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in this World Cup with 294 at an average of 98.00 and strike rate of 96.39.
- Imam-ul-Haq is the highest run-scorer in AFG-PAK ODIs (281) at an average of 56.20 and strike rate of 73.17. How he deals with the short ball will be key, but the slower Chennai surface should make shorter pitched deliveries to deal with.
- Iftikhar Ahmed can play a role with bat and ball on the Chennai pitch. The offspinner has been solid for Pakistan, where he threatened to go big agaisnt Australia (26 off 20) after a solid spell in great batting conditions at Bengaluru (0/37 off eight overs).
- Shaheen Shah Afridi was magnificent against Australia, taking 5/54. He is a great pick for fantasy teams given he bowls in the crunch powerplay and death overs. Also, Shaheen has the most wickets in PAK-AFG ODIs (12) at an average of 15.25 and economy of 4.19.
- Shaheen vs Ibrahim Zadran will be a key battle. Ibrahim has been dismissed five times for 58 runs in 110 balls against left-arm seam in ODIs.
Afghanistan:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz is key to Afghanistan’s chances. He hit 151 against Pakistan earlier this year and 80 two games ago against England.
- Azmatullah Omarzai is Afghanistan’s second-highest run-scorer in this World Cup (130). He also has three wickets.
- Can Mohammad Nabi improve on his numbers against Pakistan? He has scored 114 runs at an average of 16.28 and taken six wickets at an average of 41.00.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman is crucial. Expect Mujeeb to test Babar Azam on a good length with a midwicket in place. In fact, he has conceded just 31 off 56 balls against the Pakistan captain in ODIs (one dismissal).
- Overall, Mujeeb has taken nine wickets in five matches against Pakistan at an average of 21.66 and economy of 3.90.
- Rashid Khan has dismissed Babar Azam twice in 53 balls in ODIs (48 runs). He should enjoy bowling at Chepauk, where he has taken eight wickets in T20 cricket an economy of 6.89 and strike rate of 21.
Other Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 7, Pakistan 7, Afghanistan 0.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi has dismissed Babar Azam twice in eight balls in white-ball internationals (once in ODIs, once in T20Is).
- Abdullah Shafique has struck scores of 113, 20 and 64 in this World Cup.
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai Pitch Report and Weather
This promises to be a fascinating matchup on what should be a slow pitch that offer some spin. In three matches in this World Cup, the average first innings score has been 244, with the chasing team winning twice. Despite that, the team who wins the toss may choose to bat and set a score in a pressure match.
A hot and mostly clear day is forecast with a top of about 34 degrees.
PAK vs AFG Dream11 Prediction – Captain, vice-captain, team combinations
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.
PAK vs AFG Dream11 Prediction – Ideal Team Combination: 2-3-2-4
Option 1:
Option 2:
PAK vs AFG Match Prediction – Who will win?
This has the makings of a classic. This could be the time that Afghanistan finally beat Pakistan, especially if they bat first.