The Afghanistan versus Pakistan fixture of Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, taking place in Dubai on 29 October, is significant for many reasons, but two of them are most important than anything else.
First, they occupy the top two places in Group 2 in this early stage of Super 12s. A win will give either side a massive chance to go forward from here, especially for Pakistan, considering they have already had wins against India and New Zealand. Having said that, Afghanistan’s healthy net run rate (+6.5) after demolishing Scotland in their tournament opener cannot be ignored, and a win against Pakistan can take them to the top of the group.
Their strategies are dissimilar as well. While Pakistan prefer the familiar chasing (they have done in both games in this edition) in these venues in the UAE where dew comes into play, Afghanistan like to bat first. Why would not they be? They have won 20 out of 24 games by doing that in this format since the conclusion of the 2016 T20 World Cup.
So, what will happen tonight? Will Babar Azam win toss for the third time on the trot, and go with their strength? Or, will Mohammad Nabi change his mind and opt to field. Yes, their spinners, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, bundled out Scotland for 60 after setting 191 last time, but that was in Sharjah, where dew affects less than Dubai. Safe to say, one thing is surely not going to happen, Babar winning the toss and deciding to bat.
Being neighbours, Pakistan and Afghanistan have plenty in common in their batting units (pun intended). While Pakistan boast of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan at the top, Afghanistan, too, have two swashbuckling openers in Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad. The next two batters for respective sides – Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Najibullah Zadran for Afghanistan – and Fakhar Zaman and ‘Professor’ Mohammad Hafeez – are as impressive.
Both teams are unlikely to tinker with a winning combination. Pakistan have a slight edge on paper ahead of the contest. If Shaheen Shah Afridi continues to devastate with swing and pace and his yorkers in the Powerplay, they may finish things off quickly.
Surprisingly, they only played once in T20Is, and that too was eight years ago, in Sharjah. Hafeez staged an all-round show in that contest. He first returned 0-13 in four overs to restrict Afghanistan to 137/8, then remained unbeaten on 42 to chase the target with only a ball to spare.
Likely XIs
Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Asghar Afghan, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Back Pakistan. Make Rizwan captain. He is the leading run-scorer in T20Is this year, and continues to add more with every fixture.
- Do not ignore Rauf. He was adjudged Player of the Match for returning 4-22 against New Zealand, and was also impressive against India before that, finishing with 1-25 in four overs.
- Zazai is in red-hot form. He scored 35-ball 56 in the warm-up match against West Indies, and then had 30-ball 44 against Scotland. Keep faith in him.
Prediction
Pakistan should win this one, but not by a fair margin.
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
Babar Azam, Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Hazratullah Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi (vc), Haris Rauf, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.