ICC World Cup 2023, PAK Vs AFG | Five Player Battles To Watch Out For

image-lo104k3eAfghanistan was defeated by New Zealand in their last game

The M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is gearing up to host an electrifying contest as Pakistan faces Afghanistan in Match 22 of the World Cup 2023 on Monday, October 23.


PAK vs AFG: Player battles to watch out for

Pakistan began their journey with commendable victories over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. However, the subsequent losses against powerhouses like India and Australia have nudged them towards a difficult position. They'll be ardently hoping to regain their winning stride.

On the other hand, Afghanistan, after facing initial blows from Bangladesh and India, showcased its resilience by securing a remarkable win against the defending champions, England. Yet, the overwhelming defeat by New Zealand has added more stakes to this contest.

With both sides determined to assert their dominance, individual battles within the larger contest will likely steal the spotlight. Here’s a look at the top five PAK vs AFG player battles.


Imam-ul-Haq vs Mujeeb ur Rahman

image-lo1boaduImam-ul-Haq [AP]

Pakistan's steady opener, Imam-ul-Haq, has had a measured encounter with Afghanistan's off-spin prodigy, Mujeeb. Imam has scored 70 runs off 98 balls with a strike rate of 71.4, while Mujeeb has dismissed him once. Imam's technique against spin and Mujeeb's variations promise an intriguing start to the innings.


Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Shaheen Afridi

image-lo1bpcmyRahmanullah Gurbaz in action [AP]

Afghanistan's aggressive opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, is set to face Pakistan's pace spearhead, Shaheen Afridi. Their past contests have seen Gurbaz scoring 36 runs from 61 deliveries, falling once to Shaheen, averaging 36 at a strike rate of 59.0. Shaheen's ability to extract early swing against Gurbaz's attacking intent will be an exciting watch.


Babar Azam vs Rashid Khan

image-lo10g02wBabar Azam (Twitter)

This battle is nothing short of a blockbuster. Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, one of the world's premier batsmen, against Afghanistan's spin wizard, Rashid Khan. Babar has managed 48 runs in 53 balls against Rashid's spin, getting out twice, marking an average of 24.0 and a strike rate of 90.6. The middle-over battle between these two cricketing giants can very well dictate the tempo of the innings.


Ibrahim Zadran vs Haris Rauf

image-lo1bqz30Haris Rauf had a forgettable day vs AUS [AP]

Young Ibrahim Zadran, known for his elegance, will be up against the fiery pace of Haris Rauf. In their clashes, Zadran has scored 17 runs off 23 deliveries, with a strike rate of 73.9. While Rauf hasn't dismissed him yet, their contest promises an exhilarating contest.


Mohammad Rizwan vs Mohammad Nabi

image-lo10gxofMohammad Nabi (Twitter)

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman, Mohammad Rizwan, will face the experienced off-spin of Mohammad Nabi. In their short encounters, Rizwan has managed 7 runs from 7 balls, with a strike rate of 100. Nabi's experience and Rizwan's skills against spin make this matchup a vital one in the middle overs.