The top run-getter from Pakistan in this series has been Imad Wasim who has just managed to get 18 runs in the 1st T20I. Ihsanullah has been the best bowler for the side with 2 wickets to his name.
On the other side, Afghanistan’s top run scorer has been their Mohammad Nabi who scored 38 runs in the first match to get the historic win. Their highest wicket taken has been Fazalhaq Farooqi who has taken two wickets so far.
In the first T20 International, Pakistan batted first and drafted a total of just 92 runs in 20 overs. None of the batters created a proper impact in the game. Saim Ayub coming at the top of the order scored 17 runs off 15 deliveries. Their top order fell like a pack of cards and at one point the side was restricted to a score of 65 for 7 wickets in 14 overs. Somehow their tailenders took the score to 92 runs in 20 overs losing another 2 wickets in the process.
The Afghan batters were also not forgiven and faced a similar situation. They lost quick three wickets at just a score of 27 runs in the 6th over of the second innings. All thanks to Mohammad Nabi who played an amazing knock of 38 runs to take the Afghan side beyond the finish line and get a quick lead of 1-0 in the three-match T20I series. Afghanistan finished off the game in the 18th over with 6 wickets to spare.
Match Details
Match: AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I, Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 2023
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2023
Time: 09:30 PM
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Pitch and Weather Report
It is one of the most excellent batting surfaces, and this ground often has scores of 200 or higher. Both teams would have no qualms about choosing to bat first after winning the toss since it has proven a very challenging turf for the bowlers.
There is no finer setting for batters than this one. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium boasts a level playing surface, a quick outfield, and short boundary lines. There is nothing in there for the fast bowlers on this surface, and the ball comes into the bat wonderfully. Spinners will be a headache here, as both teams have some fabulous spin attacks.
The track will be suitable for batting since it will be a hot and muggy day in Sharjah. The temperature would be between 31℃ and 23℃ with a wind speed of 19 km/h in the east direction.
Because the bowlers cannot move laterally, the batters may play on the up. Here, 200 or more scores have often been made and pursued. Therefore, the team that bats first in this game must aim for more than 180 runs to feel secure.
AFG vs PAK Squads
AFG: Rashid Khan (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Sediqullah Atal, Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fareed Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi and Naveen Ul Haq.
PAK: Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Shan Masood, Saim Ayub
AFG vs. PAK Probable Playing XIs
AFG: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi
PAK: Iftikhar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Imad Wasim, Shan Masood, Mohammad Haris, Azam Khan (Wk), Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan (C), Ihsanullah
Match Prediction
From what we have witnessed in the first match can be repeated once again and the bowlers can dominate the game in this venue. This is why we fancy the Afghanistan side to win this match as their squad has players of both youth and experience.
Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will be the driving forces for the probable win of Afghanistan in this match.