PAK vs AFG Dream11 Prediction: 22nd ODI ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

The 22nd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will witness Pakistan (PAK) locking horns with Afghanistan (AFG) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 23. With both teams seeking to make their mark in the tournament, this clash promises to be a thrilling encounter.

So far in the World Cup, Pakistan has managed to secure two victories out of four matches, positioning them decently in the tournament. In contrast, Afghanistan has clinched only one win and finds themselves at the bottom of the rankings.

Pakistan’s Recent Challenge

In their previous match, Pakistan faced Australia, where they opted to field after winning the toss. Unfortunately, their decision to bowl first proved to be a difficult one, as the Australian openers dominated, amassing an impressive 259 runs. Although Pakistan’s batters made a promising start, they couldn’t maintain the momentum, ending their innings at 367 runs. Despite their commendable effort, Pakistan lost the match by 62 runs.

Afghanistan’s Recent Encounter

Afghanistan took on New Zealand in their most recent match. After winning the toss, Afghanistan decided to field. While their top-order batters provided a strong start, their middle order faltered. After cruising to 109 for 1, they stumbled to 110 for 4. However, the experienced duo of Latham and Phillips rallied, helping Afghanistan reach a competitive total of 288 on a challenging pitch. In response, Afghanistan faced a daunting task as they lost wickets consistently from the beginning. Despite several batters getting starts, they failed to build substantial partnerships and ended up losing the match by a significant margin of 149 runs.

Match Information

Match: Pakistan vs Afghanistan, 22nd Match
Tournament: ICC Cricket World Cup
Date: October 23, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM IST
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai

Weather Conditions

The weather at MA Chidambaram Stadium is expected to be hazy, with a temperature of 32.2°C and a humidity level of 58%. These conditions could play a crucial role in the match outcome.

Pitch Report

The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium generally favors the batters. However, spinners often dominate proceedings on this surface. Batters must exercise caution and exhibit proficiency against spin bowling. In recent matches, teams winning the toss have opted to bowl first, with the average first-innings score being 226.

PROBABLE PLAYING XI

Pakistan

Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam (C), Abdullah Shafique, IU Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), S Afridi, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali

BENCH: FK Zaman, Agha Salman, Mohammad Wasim, SH Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris, Z Khan

Afghanistan

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Ibrahim Zadran, R Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, IA Khil (wk), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

BENCH: Riaz Hussan, Najibullah Zadran, Abdul Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Farid Malik

Key Players in Your Dream11 Squad

Here are some key players to consider in your Dream11 fantasy squad:

Captain Picks:
- Mohammad Rizwan (PAK | WK): Rizwan has been one of the most consistent batters in the tournament, with 294 runs to his name.
- Shaheen Afridi (PAK | BOWL): Despite an average tournament, Shaheen has managed to scalp nine wickets in four matches.
- Rashid Khan (AFG | BOWL): Rashid is a standout performer for Afghanistan with six wickets and 56 runs in the tournament.
Top Picks:
- Abdullah Shafique (PAK | BAT): Shafique has been in excellent form, consistently scoring runs with 197 runs at a strike rate of 104.79 in three games.
- Haris Rauf (PAK | BOWL): Rauf has taken eight wickets with an economy of 7.06 in four games.
- Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG | ALL): Omarzai has been a valuable asset, scoring 130 runs and taking three wickets in four matches.
Budget Picks:
- Hasan Ali (PAK | BOWL): Hasan has been performing well with seven scalps at an economy of 6.29 in four matches. He can contribute with the bat.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (AFG | BOWL): Given the pitch conditions, Mujeeb is a player to watch, having secured 43 runs and four wickets in four matches.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG | WK): Gurbaz is Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 159 runs in four matches.

Avoid Having These Players in Your Fantasy Team

While making your Dream11 squad, consider avoiding these players:

Shadab Khan (PAK | ALL): Shadab has struggled in the tournament, failing to make an impact with both bat and ball.
Fakhar Zaman (PAK | BAT): Zaman’s recent form in international cricket has been inconsistent, making him a risky choice.

The clash between Pakistan and Afghanistan promises to be an exciting contest in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. With talented players on both sides, fans can expect a closely fought battle in Chennai.

Dream11 Team – HEAD TO HEAD