ICC World Cup 2019 – Match 36: PAK vs AFG – Pakistan Predicted Playing XI

Pakistan in their element must win the match against Afghanistan which will make way for last 4.

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Pakistan. (photo by Alan Martin/Action Plus via Getty Images)

After the slow start to the tournament, Pakistan team has picked itself up really well in the last two matches. The team came under heavy scrutiny after their loss to India. However, they seem to have got back on track after great wins against South Africa and New Zealand. Beating the Kiwis, who were unbeaten until then in the tournament, must have been a great boost to the ‘Men in Green’.

However, they need to win the remaining two matches in the tournament to fancy a spot in the semi-final. The side will be first up against Afghanistan. They will clearly go into this game as the favourites. But, they shouldn’t get too complacent as Afghanistan could get unpredictable at times. As far as the playing eleven is concerned, it looks to be pretty much sorted for Pakistan.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for Pakistan:

Openers (Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman)

If Pakistan qualifies for the knockouts, their openers performing well will be crucial for them. Both Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman, despite being in good form, have largely disappointed in the tournament. They seem to be low on confidence and there has been uncertainty in their shot selection.

Often, there has been a serious error of judgement with their shots. Thus, the upcoming game is a great opportunity for this duo to rebuild their morale. The opposition’s fast bowlers might not just them as much as some of the other teams have done. Hence, they should look to spend a good amount of time in the middle and get good scores under their belt.

Middle Order (Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c)(wk))

Babar Azam has been spectacular throughout this tournament. Although there are a few innings where he missed out, he leaves you in awe as long as he’s out there in the middle. In testing conditions against New Zealand, he stood tall like a pillar for his team and registered one of his best hundreds and took his team home. Azam has got support from someone like Haris Sohail now in the middle order.

Sohail has played some excellent cricket and has even reduced the pressure off his partner by scoring his runs at a very good pace. He scored two back-to-back fifties in the tournament and will be high on confidence. Sarfaraz Ahmed is batting slightly lower down the order and thus his opportunities have been limited. But he can bring up a good performance whenever required and is also doing a decent job with his captaincy.

All Rounders (Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan)

Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)

Mohammad Hafeez will bat at number four and has shouldered the responsibility well. He adds solidity to the line-up and his immense experience comes handy as well. Hafeez has also been rolling his arm quite often and is doing an excellent job with the ball. He adds a great amount of balance to this team.

Imad Wasim will be the finisher with the bat in this line-up. His services weren’t required a great deal in the last match and bowled just three overs. He’d hope that he gets to bowl more overs in this match. Shadab Khan did well to control his economy rate against New Zealand and also attacked the opposition at the same times without giving them many opportunities. He should continue the good work.

Bowlers (Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi)

The pace troika of Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi has had a huge role in getting Pakistan pace into the race. At least one of these three in putting their hands up in tough circumstances and bailing the team out. Afridi was tough to face in the last match and he has adjusted really well with his lines and lengths.

He looked smart dealing with different batsmen and created doubts in the minds. The youngster returned with three wickets while Amir accounted for one. Riaz was slightly more expensive than he’d have liked against the Blackcaps and will eye a strong comeback. Howbeit, it is important for them to capture the situations when the opposition is under pressure and get important wickets at that stage unlike in the last match.

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