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The 24th match of the ICC T20 World Cup will be between the two unbeaten teams in Group 2, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Afghans will look to pull off a win and boost their chances of making the semi-finals, whereas Pakistan will have an opportunity to almost seal their berth in the final four with a victory here.
The Men in Green have had a dream start to their WC campaign as they sit at the top of Group 2 with four points and a net run-rate of +0.738. Babar Azam’s men handed a 10-wicket thrashing to India in their opening game after restricting them to 151/7 at Dubai. They defeated New Zealand at Sharjah in the following game by five wickets after the bowlers restricted NZ to 134/8.
Afghanistan obliterated Scotland in their opening fixture by 130 runs. Batting first, Najibullah Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz powered the team to 190/4. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan ran through the Scottish batting line-up, snaring nine wickets between them to bowl them out for just 60.
A victory here for Afghanistan will make Group 2 wide open and will have four teams in contention for the top two group positions.
Key players
Blessed with glorious classical strokeplay, Babar Azam does not have any real issues against any type of bowling. He has magnificent numbers in international T20s with 2281 runs in 58 innings, averaging 47.52 at a strike rate of 130.34. Babar has one century and 21 half-centuries to his name in T20Is. The Pakistan skipper averages 49.67 in the last 10 matches with 298 runs and has a knock of 52-ball-68* in their last match at Dubai under his belt.
By far the best T20 spinner in world cricket, Rashid Khan produces impactful performances despite opponents mostly looking to play him out. Rashid has an incredible record to boast of and is one wicket shy of the 100-wicket mark in international T20s. He has taken 99 T20I scalps in just 52 matches at a mind-blowing average of 12.21 runs per wicket. Rashid has been in great form, claiming 18 wickets in the last 10 outings. He is fresh off a 4/9 spell in 2.2 overs against Scotland.
Mohammad Rizwan’s numbers this year in international T20s show just how good he has been. Rizwan has smashed 864 runs in 16 innings averaging a whooping 96 at a strike rate of 138. In the first two games of this tournament, he has scored 79* off 55 against India in Dubai followed by 33 off 34 against the Kiwis at Sharjah.
Najibullah Zadran has outstanding numbers in T20 internationals, scoring 1119 runs in 55 innings at a fantastic strike rate of 143.64 while averaging 33.90. Najibullah has been in great form with 262 runs at an average of 52.40 while striking at 148.86. The left-hand batter was sublime in the first game against Scotland, where he scored 59 off 34 coming in at no. 4.
Haris Rauf is an enforcer for Pakistan, operating in middle and death overs. Rauf has 33 wickets to his name in 23 innings at 8.65 rpo. The right-arm pacer has been in terrific form, claiming 1/25 against India followed by career-best 4/22 against New Zealand. Rauf’s ability to bowl hard lengths at high pace makes him a crucial factor against the Afghanistan batting unit.
Prediction
Afghanistan and Pakistan have only played each other once back in 2013. Afghanistan boasts of the best spin attack in the tournament with Rashid Khan, Mujeeb and Mohammad Nabi. They have the batters, who are capable of scoring decent totals. However, tackling swing and hard lengths is a huge concern for them.
Pakistan have ticked almost all the boxes in the first two matches. The opening pair is terrific and the middle order – which was a concern – did well in a tricky chase against New Zealand. Their bowling department has been superb, with Shaheen Afridi doing well up front and Imad Wasim keeping it very tight. Haris Rauf has nailed the role of an enforcer.
Overall, Pakistan are much stronger side and should come out victorious against Afghanistan on Friday.
