Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey
T20 WC 2021 Match 24: AFG vs PAK Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Today | Pakistan vs Afghanistan Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
10 years ago, had someone told you that Pakistan vs Afghanistan would be a blockbuster match in a World Cup, you may have called them optimistic for a kinder word.
Afghanistan’s rise has been truly magnificent, and they have the chance to write another chapter in their wonderful story. Despite the volatile political situation at home, Afghanistan have continued on their journey towards becoming a strong cricketing force in the white-ball formats. And, with a win here, they will go top of the group on net run rate and put huge pressure on India and New Zealand in the process.
This has the makings of a classic against a Pakistan side that has made a strong statement so far in this World Cup. After such an impressive victory against India, Pakistan then overcame difficult situations to beat New Zealand, which is cause for optimism for a team that often relies on their wonderful opening combination.
So, there is a huge incentive for the winner today. Win and take a huge step towards the Semi Finals. Bring it on.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Afghanistan:
- Can Mohammad Shahzad overcome the Shaheen Shah Afridi threat early? The keeper-batsman is in some good touch after striking 54 (35) in the warm up vs West Indies and 22 (15) vs Scotland.
- Shahzad has an outstanding T20 record at Dubai. In 13 matches, Shahzad has struck 445 runs at an average of 40.50 and strike rate of 125.28. He also scored a century vs India on this ground in the ODI Asia Cup in 2018.
- Hazratullah Zazai is also in some good touch. He scored a 35-ball 56 in the warm up vs West Indies and 44 off 30 balls vs Scotland. However, the Pakistan attack will be a different challenge.
- Najibullah Zadran was Afghanistan’s top-scorer in their only T20I to date against Pakistan back in 2013 (38 off 30 balls). Zadran is coming into this game on the back of a 34-ball 59 against Scotland. He scored 42 (54) vs Pakistan in the 2019 ODI World Cup.
- Mohammad Nabi recently took ridiculous figures of 3/2 in four overs in the warm up vs West Indies. The skipper was quiet against Scotland, but expect him to play a key role today. He took 2/21 in his only T20I vs Pakistan and a brilliant 2/23 in 10 overs in the 2019 ODI World Cup.
- Nabi has plenty of experience in Dubai. In 18 matches, Nabi has struck 234 runs at an average of 29.25 and strike rate of 136.05. He also has 19 wickets at an economy rate of 7.08.
- Rashid Khan loves bowling at Dubai, with 20 wickets in 15 matches at a superb economy rate of 5.01. He is yet to play a T20I vs Pakistan, but he does have four wickets in two ODIs against them.
- Mujeeb ur Rahman destroyed Scotland, taking 5/20 at Sharjah. This will also be Mujeeb’s first T20I against Pakistan, but if he can replicate his ODI performances against them (10-1-34-2 and 10-2-33-2), we will certainly be in for another show.
Pakistan:
- Babar Azam has struck 953 runs in 29 T20s at Dubai at an average of 35.30 and strike rate of 114.13. This includes a clinical 68* against India last weekend. Babar has scored 1,440 runs in 36 T20s this year at an average of 53.33 and strike rate of 133.95.
- This will be Babar’s first T20I against Afghanistan. He scored 45 (51) and 66 (94) in his two ODIs against them.
- Mohammad Rizwan is also enjoying a magnificent year. The keeper-batsman has an incredible haul of 1,574 runs in 38 matches at an average of 58.30 and strike rate of 132.83.
- Rizwan also turned around his poor record at Dubai with a brilliant 79* off 55 balls against India last week.
- What a knock it was by Asif Ali to get Pakistan home against New Zealand (27* off 12 balls). Can he finish things off well again if he gets the chance?
- Mohammad Hafeez was player of the match in Pakistan’s only T20I vs Afghanistan back in 2013 with 42* off 37 balls. He has a modest record at Dubai with 679 runs in 38 matches at an average of 21.90 and strike rate of 110.59. He also has 15 wickets, and could be key today against Afghanistan’s left-handers.
- Haris Rauf is in fine form. The pacer played a key role in limiting India’s progress and was then player of the match against NZ thanks to a brilliant spell of 4/22. Rauf has nine wickets in six matches at Dubai at an economy rate of just 6.43.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi will be one to watch, as always. He has taken 21 wickets in his first over in T20I cricket, so watch out Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai. No other bowler has taken more than 13 in the same period (since February 2018).
- Afridi took 3/32 vs India on this ground, part of 18 wickets in 12 matches in total. Mitchell Starc also found swing yesterday vs Sri Lanka.
- Hasan Ali has taken 27 wickets in 22 matches at Dubai at an economy rate of 8.03.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 1, Pakistan 1, Afghanistan 0.
- Rashid Khan is one wicket away from 100 in T20Is. Only Shakib Al Hasan, Lasith Malinga and Tim Southee have reached this mark.
- Hazratullah Zazai has an excellent record in PSL cricket: 212 runs at a strike rate of 185.96 in only five innings.
- Imad Wasim was player of the match against Afghanistan in the 2019 ODI World Cup: 2/48 and 49* off 54 balls.
Possible Playing 11
Afghanistan should stick to the same XI that smashed Scotland by 130 runs.
Afghanistan: 1. Hazratullah Zazai, 2. Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 4. Najibullah Zadran, 5. Mohammad Nabi (c), 6. Asghar Afghan, 7. Gulbadin Naib, 8. Karim Jannat, 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Naveen-ul-Haq, 11. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Pakistan should also stick to the same XI, pending Imad Wasim’s fitness.
Pakistan: 1. Babar Azam (c), 2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3. Fakhar Zaman, 4. Mohammad Hafeez, 5. Shoaib Malik, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Imad Wasim, 9. Hasan Ali, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Shaheen Shah Afridi
Dubai Pitch Report and Weather
Chasing teams are dominating on this ground. Such teams have won 13 of the last 17 on this ground, including an easy seven-wicket win for Australia against Sri Lanka.
Expect the captain who wins the toss to select chasing. There is likely to be dew in the second innings.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Base team:
- Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan
- Batsmen: Babar Azam, Najibullah Zadran
- All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim
- Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman
Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?
Match Prediction
Afghanistan have challenged Pakistan in each of their three internationals so far. Expect them to be competitive again, but Pakistan’s batting should have enough runs in them to win, especially if they bat second.