Afghanistan are all set to lock horns with Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series. The battle will take place at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota on August 22.
The Afghanistan side will be led by dynamic Hashmatullah Shahidi in the series, while Pakistan’s regular skipper and star batter Babar Azam will head the Men in Green.
As far as the squad of the two teams are concerned, Afghanistan’s team features many prominent players, including the likes of Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mujeeb-ul-Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi. On the other hand, Pakistan have also assembled a strong line-up comprising Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Imam-ul-Haq, among other notable names.
Both Afghanistan and Pakistan will look to start the series on a high note. These matches will serve as a perfect platform for both teams to train themselves for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.
ODI stats and records at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium:
- Total matches: 26
- Matches won bowling first: 13
- Matches won batting first: 10
- Average first innings score: 249
- Average second innings score: 196
- Highest total: 368/4 (Sri Lanka)
- Lowest total: 112 all-out (Kenya)
- Highest run chase: 312/2 (Sri Lanka)
Also READ: AFG vs PAK 2023, ODI series: Broadcast and Live Streaming details – When and Where to Watch in India, US and other countries
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Pitch Report:
The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota has provided equal help to both batters and bowlers. However, spinners have the upper hand on this track due to the nature of the surface. Scoring runs at this venue become more challenging as the game progresses, and the team winning the toss would look to bowl first. It is to be noted that 13 of the 26 matches have been won by team fielding first. Overall, a thrilling and high-scoring game is expected to take place at this ground.
Hambantota Weather Report:
The weather at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota is expected to be partly cloudy but with no signs of precipitation. The temperature is expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius with humidity levels to be around 66% and the wind blowing at a speed of 32 Km/hr. The spectators and players can anticipate the play to be without any interruptions.
AFG vs PAK 1st ODI, Probable XIs:
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman
Pakistan Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Haris, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
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