Pakistan is all set to engage in a fierce clash with Afghanistan in the 22nd match of the ODI World Cup 2023. This highly anticipated showdown will take place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on the 23rd of October. Pakistan's journey in this World Cup has been somewhat tumultuous, with their recent performances being less than satisfactory. After commencing their campaign with two impressive victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, they faced daunting defeats at the hands of arch-rivals India and Australia. These consecutive losses have considerably dampened their spirits and shaken their confidence. In light of these challenges, Pakistan is now eager to secure a decisive triumph over Afghanistan to regain its momentum and strengthen its position as a serious contender for a spot in the top 4.
On the other side of the coin, Afghanistan's World Cup journey has also had its share of ups and downs. Out of the four matches they have played thus far, they have managed to secure only one win, which came in a remarkable victory over England. Afghanistan boasts a roster brimming with exceptional talent and match-winners, including renowned players such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The team is undoubtedly determined to recapture their winning form and secure a second victory in this tournament. As the current standings suggest, Pakistan finds itself occupying the fifth position on the points table, whereas Afghanistan currently languishes at the bottom.
In terms of weather conditions, Accuweather forecasts that the match day at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will witness temperatures ranging from 32 to 35 degrees Celsius. During the daytime, the humidity levels are expected to hover around 57 to 60 per cent. However, as the day progresses and the sun sets, there will be a marginal drop in temperature, accompanied by a noticeable increase in humidity. This shift in weather conditions could pose a challenge to the players on the field. Fortunately, there is no rain expected during the course of the match.
The line-ups for the match are as follows:
Pakistan:
1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Usama Mir
9. Hasan Ali
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Haris Rauf
Afghanistan:
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
2. Ibrahim Zadran
3. Rahmat Shah
4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
5. Azmatullah Omarzai
6. Ikram Alikhil (wk)
7. Mohammad Nabi
8. Rashid Khan
9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman
10. Naveen-ul-Haq
11. Fazalhaq Farooqi
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