Eyes on larger prizes as Pakistan and Afghanistan start ODI sequence

Pakistan faces Afghanistan in a three-match One-Day International sequence in Sri Lanka beginning on Tuesday, with skipper Babar Azam seeing it nearly as good preparation for the Asia Cup and World Cup.

The first bilateral ODI sequence between the 2 groups shall be adopted by the six-nation Asia Cup, in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, starting on August 30 and the World Cup in India from October 5.

It is a house sequence for Afghanistan, which can not stage worldwide cricket in its personal nation due to safety fears.

“These three matches are a good opportunity for us to test our players in the match situation,” Azam instructed AFP.

Azam is the top-ranked ODI batter and leads a robust aspect that additionally boasts openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq – ranked three and 4, respectively.

They are backed up by a potent tempo assault of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

Afghanistan has world-class spinner Rashid Khan match once more after he withdrew from The Hundred competitors in England

“Afghanistan have developed into a good side,” stated Azam of a staff which beat Bangladesh 2-1 in an ODI sequence final month.

“We are not going to take these matches lightly,” stated Azam, regardless of Pakistan having received all 4 ODIs in opposition to Afghanistan for the reason that nations first met in 2012.

“We have good players who can deal with spin bowling so it is going to be an exciting series.”

Afghanistan is captained by batter Hashmatullah Shahidi and has new faces in quick bowlers Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Safi and Wafadar Momand.

Tuesday’s match is being performed in Hambantota, with the remaining two in Colombo on Thursday and Saturday.