T20 World Cup 2021: Match 24 – Afghanistan vs Pakistan Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

CONFIDENCE. Well if there is one word that will describe the mood in both the Pakistan as well as the Afghanistan camps, then this word will suit perfectly. Both these teams will enter this match on a positive note after having started their campaigns in the Super 12 stages of the T20 World Cup in scintillating fashion.

Pakistan has experienced a ‘dream start’ to their campaign in the Super 12 stages of the tournament. The ‘Men in Green’ broke their duck against India, and beat Virat Kohli and his men for the first time in World Cup cricket.

Even though the Indian side posted a total of 151/7 on the board, the Babar Azam-led outfit annihilated Virat Kohli and his men by 10 wickets. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were unstoppable and pummeled the Indian bowling attack as Pakistan started their campaign in style.

In Pakistan’s second match against the Kiwis, Asif Ali and veteran Shoaib Malik stepped up for the Pakistan side. Chasing a target of 135 set by the Black Caps, Pakistan was reduced to 87/5. But then, Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali forged a brilliant counter-attacking partnership of 48 runs as Pakistan sailed past New Zealand with 5 wickets intact.

Afghanistan gave the Scotland side an absolute pounding in their opening encounter of the Super 12 stages. Batting first, the Mohammad Nabi-led outfit posted a huge total of 190/4, with Najibullah Zadran going berserk, scoring a 34-ball 59.

With the ball, the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman weaved their unplayable web, scalping 9 wickets between them, as the Scotland side was bowled out for just 60 runs. And, the way the Pakistan batsmen negotiate the 8 overs that Rashid and Mujeeb bowl will play a crucial role in which way the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan swings.

While Pakistan will be looking to post a hat trick of victories in the Super 12 stages when they take on Afghanistan, the Mohammad Nabi-led outfit will be hoping to stop the Pakistan juggernaut.

Pitch and Conditions

The batters can score runs in Dubai if they can play out the initial few deliveries that they face. WIN THE TOSS AND BOWL, seems to be the mantra on this pitch, as the chasing team has emerged victorious in all 3 matches played at this venue.

Playing Combinations for AFG vs PAK

Afghanistan

Afghanistan will field the same playing XI from their previous match for the clash against Pakistan.

Predicted XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi (c), Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Karim Janat, Naveen ul Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Pakistan

Pakistan are also expected to go in with an unchanged side for this clash.

Predicted XI: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

AFG vs PAK Head-to-Head

Overall

Matches- 1, Afghanistan – 0, Pakistan – 1, Tied- 0

In T20 World Cups

This is the first meeting between the two sides in T20 World Cups.

AFG vs PAK Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 07:30 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar