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The World Cup is currently almost halfway over, and
the table is starting to take shape. The two teams that will face off against
each other in Chennai, Afghanistan and Pakistan, are not near the front of it,
but it is already getting close to the point where each of these teams must
win. If Afghanistan lost, they would almost surely be eliminated, whereas Babar
Azam’s team would have little more room for mistake if Pakistan lost.
On far too many instances, Afghanistan will feel as
though there was little separating the two teams, but they have yet to
celebrate an ODI victory over their fiercest regional foes. They were famously
denied in a heartbreaker at the 2019 World Cup despite being given the chance
to eliminate Pakistan, and success on Monday would have an almost identical
result. Even though Afghanistan has alternated long stretches of mediocrity
with brilliant moments with both bat and ball, there have been enough promising
signs to suggest that this game may be evenly matched.
Afghanistan has a distinct advantage over their more
decorated rivals in two areas: top-order firepower and world-class spin
bowling. Rahmanullah Gurbaz has struck seven sixes in the powerplay so far at
this World Cup, compared to Pakistan’s zero attempts throughout the entire
2023. It will be an area where Afghanistan can clearly distinguish itself from
Pakistan because the latter’s openers are out of form.
On the bowling front, Afghanistan has no trouble with
spin as Pakistan juggles its spinners and tries to find out how to get the most
out of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usama Mir. Two of the most prized
spinners in international cricket are Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and
Mohammad Nabi has been employed well to stifle opposing momentum during the
middle overs.
Pakistan, on
the other hand, has either had to pick up the tempo or keep removing pricey
spinners from the attack throughout the middle overs of innings. Afghanistan
would think there is a weakness in Pakistan that can be exploited, especially
given the doubts about Babar’s tactical acumen throughout the game.