Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets on Wednesday, making yet another unexpected World Cup comeback. Ibrahim Zadran’s incredible 113-ball 87 helped them win, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 130-run opening combination gave Afghanistan the lead early on.
Pushing down to square leg, Noor continues her act with the entire outside off. It’s a single. This article will cover the Pakistan National Cricket Team’s top players as well as the Afghanistan National Cricket Team’s schedule.
The Imam-ul-Haq of Pakistan
Imam-ul-Haq has had a stellar domestic career. He is the nephew of Inzamam-ul-Haq, who created history in 1997 when he scored 194 against India. Imam-ul-Haq created history with another century on debut after making his ODI debut against Sri Lanka during the 2017 series and making an instant impression with an instant 100!
He was left out of his ODI team for this match against Afghanistan because he hasn’t lived up to expectations after he scored another century against Zimbabwe last month and was chosen for the World Cup squad.
This matchup is crucial as both sides try to turn around their World Cup fortunes. The winner will go on to the semifinals, while the loser will lose and have to leave early.
Pakistan, who have only won one of their last three games, is keen to win their encounter in Chennai. They have decided to bat first, with Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam opening up for them. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, both of whom have had a big influence this tournament, may then be included as spinners. The way bowlers are used will be crucial; they must take early wickets to hold opponents at bay and swiftly build up a respectable score.
Babar Azam
After battling earlier, Pakistan defeated Afghanistan’s spinners thanks to a cautious 92-ball century from Babar Azam. The left-handed opener reached 3,000 ODI runs for Pakistan with an outstanding knock that included five boundaries and two sixes. Afghan leg-breaker Noor Ahmad, 18, hampered their attempts in the middle overs by taking three wickets in his first World Cup outing.
Along with opening batsman Zaheer Abbas, whom he caught off his pads in the 42nd over for one wicket apiece, Muhammad Azam, an 18-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, got three crucial wickets: Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, and himself.
Azam Akmal, who started playing cricket in Lahore, is the cousin of both Akmal brothers. Since then, he has advanced quickly through the age group cricket ranks, playing for Pakistan in two Under-19 World Cups and one Under-15 world championship.
His status as one of Pakistan’s top batters was solidified by his impressive performances at the 2016 ICC Trophy. Fazal is one of Pakistan’s top run scorers and can reach hundreds. He is a hard-hitting left-hander who can also rotate the strike. Fazal will now want to leave a mark in the World Cup 2019 as his country hopes to win an ICC title.
Muhammad Rizwan
An outstanding batsman for Pakistan with a thorough knowledge of the game is Mohammad Rizwan. Mohammad, a key player in both T20I and ODI teams, is known for being a successful match winner who can forge important alliances. Additionally, he might be in their squad for many years to come due to his consistent middle-order hitting in ODI matches.
He is highly regarded among the Pakistani teams he has previously played for and is currently captaining, the Multan Sultans, for his outstanding shot-making and ability to score large runs in T20I and ODI cricket tournaments. A well-liked player in Pakistan, he gained a great deal of respect from supporters worldwide after his World Cup performance.
For many years, cricket has been a major factor in escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. In 1987, when Pakistani President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq visited India for “cricket diplomacy,” India invited Pakistan to watch a match. Since then, the two nations have regularly faced off in front of large crowds at international cricket venues. Political tensions and disputes over Kashmir are further dividing these nations, and supporters of both sides frequently clash during games that draw sizable crowds.
Shaheen Afridi
One of Pakistan’s most intriguing fast bowlers is Shaheen Afridi. He is a deadly threat due to his ability to swing the ball from both sides and his towering height, which offers him an advantage on the field. His batting prowess also adds value to his squad.
Afridi became the joint-highest wicket-taker after an outstanding World Cup performance. His assistance also enabled Pakistan to get to the ICC Champions Trophy semifinals and finals. Afridi, a vital component of Pakistan’s team, will want to maintain his impressive play against Afghanistan.
A long-standing athletic rivalry characterized by political conflict exists between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This year will be the third meeting between the two sides at International Cricket Council competitions.
For the first Test match, the PCB has made a number of changes to its roster, including a number of rookies and seasoned veterans. Its bowling attack will have more depth thanks to two speed bowlers from the Pakistan Super League, while all-rounder Amir Jamal and right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad will make their Test debuts. In order to have a successful start in Test cricket, these players aim to build on their outstanding T20 World Cup achievements.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali has gained the reputation of “star in the making.” His bowling style blends speed and cunning, sometimes startling batters with sudden changes in pace during brief run-ups. Ali, who is still vying for a spot in the national teams, made an impression in the 2019 Pakistan Super League.
Despite their recent struggles, Pakistan is still one of the best cricket teams in the world. Their batting has lacked depth and been poor. Nevertheless, Pakistan has some of the best players in the world, and they want to go back to their best soon.
The centuries-old rivalry between India and Pakistan continues to be a source of stress. The two countries have faced off in international competitions such as the World Cup. Former Pakistani President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq even suggested cricket diplomacy as a successful strategy for reducing neighborly hostilities.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan has only gotten more intense in recent years. Despite their inability to play bilateral matches due to political concerns, both of them still compete in Asian Cricket Council and International Cricket Council events, demonstrating the potency of cricket as a diplomatic tool.
Shadab Khan
One of Pakistan’s most important players during the COVID-19 epidemic, Shadab Khan, made his debut for his country against the West Indies on March 26, 2017, although his team lost both games in that series.
He came back for his second game, but Mohammad Rizwan’s spectacular catch by Hafeez Azhar quickly cost him his wicket. However, in their second ODI in Zimbabwe the following year, he struck an undefeated fifty.
However, it was his Test arena debut that truly made him famous. He was called up for a two-match Test series against England after just playing one Twenty20 international, and he struck a half-century.
Although he put up an incredible show in both of the series’ innings, his chances of winning were dashed by an uneven final Test. In the meanwhile, he was selected for the 2021 World Cup roster due to his outstanding performance in ODIs.
Before Ibrahim rushes forward to defend, Rashid Khan bowls and swiftly grabs two singles before hitting one for four! Before they ever surpass 200, a single comes after! An incredible accomplishment by the Afghan ODI cricket players; Rahmat and Ibrahim ensured a strong start! Rahmat and Ibrahim had a great start!
