Pakistan and Afghanistan, two teams familiar with UAE conditions, will face each other in the Asia Cup on Wednesday and for the third time in T20Is. Pakistan has beaten Afghanistan in 2013 and 2019, but it’s anyone’s game in Sharjah.
Afghanistan lost to Dasun Shanaka’s men after posting 175 for 6 in their first Super 4 match. They learned, though. The game was close. Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and captain Mohammad Nabi are no longer their only wicket-takers. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq were match-winners.
Najibullah Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Ibrahim Zadran have batted well. Afghanistan must maintain these levels to reach the final.
Pakistan have won despite injuries and an out-of-form captain. Mohammad Rizwan has batted 192 times to replace Babar Azam. Fakhar Zaman and Khushdil Shah have also contributed, and Mohammad Nawaz scored 42 off 20 balls in the previous match against India.
Shadab Khan and Nawaz have shared 13 wickets in three matches. The attack looks more potent with Naseem Shah.
After beating the defending champions India in a nail-biter in the last over, Pakistan will play against Afghanistan, which is very motivated to win its first Super 4s game.
