PAK vs AFG: Pakistan and Afghanistan rekindle rivalry in bid for supremacy at ICC World Cup 2023

While the on-field rivalry between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains to be in its infancy, crowd disturbances, edge-of-the-seat finishes, and scuffles between gamers have already lent it the sort of rhetoric that maybe higher describes occasions in a bullring than in a cricket stadium.

The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 match on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday is an effective probability to see if the on-field motion has retained an analogous needle.

Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi can pose a problem to Pakistan’s unstable center order in the event that they discover their rhythm.

The method Afghanistan deploys Rashid can even affect the consequence.

Against India, Rashid got here in to bowl when the rating was 125-0 in 14 overs, which appeared an odd selection. However, towards England, he entered the sport when the Three Lions had been 82 for 3 off 16 overs, exactly the place he excels.

Rashid’s tempo is fast for a spinner, and on a barely two-paced Chepauk floor, he’ll goal the stumps and search for LBWs. While the Pakistani top-order batters have an affinity for the sweep, they need to contemplate hitting down the bottom towards Rashid. This match can be performed on the identical pitch that was used for India’s match towards Australia.

Against New Zealand, Afghanistan’s innings took a downturn when the center order got here in—the final seven wickets fell for simply 42 runs. It might want to shore up its typically rash, usually lax center order.

Its coach, Jonathan Trott, had additionally expressed issues about fielding as his workforce missed six probabilities in its loss to New Zealand. Unless Afghanistan improves on this facet, Pakistan may capitalise on its errors.

Meanwhile, there are complications aplenty for Pakistan. Its tempo assault tends to float if Shaheen Afridi doesn’t get early wickets. Babar Azam’s type and persevering with struggles with spin don’t allay issues both.

At Chennai, it is going to be intriguing to see which workforce secures a victory – the workforce with superior abilities or the one with higher management of feelings.