ODI World Cup 2023: Match 22, PAK vs AFG Stats & Records at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Pakistan and Afghanistan will face off in the 22nd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Monday, October 23, 2023, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Pakistan will come into the contest after two consecutive losses against India and Australia. They have won two games in four so far but lost to Australia in their previous match.

Pakistan bowled first, with Shaheen Afridi picking up five wickets and Haris Rauf taking three, to bowl out Australia for 367-9. In response, Abdullah Shafique (64) and Imam-ul-Haq (70) were the only Pakistani batsmen to make significant contributions, but they eventually lost by 62 runs. 

Afghanistan will come into the contest after losing to New Zealand in their previous match. Afghanistan bowled first, and Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai picked up two wickets each to restrict New Zealand to 288-6 in 50 overs. In response, Rahmat Shah (36) and Azmatullah Omarzai (27) were the top scorers for Afghanistan, but they eventually lost by 149 runs. Afghanistan have won one game out of four so far. 

Pakistan will look to win the match and bounce back to winning ways, while Afghanistan will put up a strong fight and look to upset Pakistan in the upcoming match. 

PAK vs AFG Head-to-Head Record: 

Pakistan and Afghanistan have met each other seven times in ODIs, and Pakistan have won on all occasions, including one World Cup match.

MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report:

The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is known for its batting-friendly pitch, which aids spinners. As the match progresses, the pitch slows down, and batters should aim for slow and steady knocks.  

MA Chidambaram Stadium ODI Records:

In 26 ODIs played at the venue, the pacers have picked 233 at an average of 29.05, while spinners have picked 138 wickets at an average of 34.29. The teams batting first have won 15 games while teams chasing have won ten, with one game ending in a no-result. The average score batting first-batting score here is 234

X-factors for Pakistan vs Afghanistan 

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be the X-factor for Afghanistan against Pakistan. He has been in good form with the bat in 2023, having scored 535 runs at an average of 35.66, with one half-century and two centuries. He will be one of the key players for Afghanistan against New Zealand.

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan 

Rizwan has been the best batter for Pakistan in the ODI World Cup 2023, as he has so far aggregated 294 runs in four games at an average of 98.00. Rizwan’s form will be the key for Pakistan if they need to beat Afghanistan in Chennai. 

PAK vs AFG Probable Playing XI   

Afghanistan: 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk),Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi   

Pakistan: 

Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan/ Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf