ABU DHABI: Pakistan will have to dig deep when they face a fiery Afghanistan on Friday in Asia Cup 2018 Super Four fixture at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Afghanistan are oozing with confidence after their decimation of Bangladesh on Thursday. Thanks to a blistering half-century from birthday boy Rashid Khan, the Afghans piled up a total of 255/7 in 50 overs after hiccups during the middle overs.
The target proved to be too much for the Bangladeshi lions who crumbled under pressured and were bowled out at 119. Rashid Khan shined brightest, this time with the bowl in his hand, as he bagged two wickets leaking just 13 runs in 9 bowled overs.
Pakistan, on the other hand, had a quintessential meltdown against arch-rivals India on Wednesday. Batting first, the green-team was bowled out for 162, a target India chased down with much ease.
On paper, Pakistan is the better side, but Afghanistan’s form, backed by their unbreakable will and determination might overpower Sarfaraz’s men if they take this game for granted. Rashid Khan’s spin-wizardry would be key for Afghanistan, while eyes would also be on his Pakistani counterpart, Shadab Khan.
Coming off a loss against India, the pressure will be on Pakistan, especially when the Shaheens are the more experienced of the two units and so expected to win. Afghanistan, however, will have nothing to lose, and a win against the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winners would be huge.
Nevertheless, given all that’s at stake in this particular fixture, it is going to be a tough test for Pakistan, and a huge opportunity for their ever-improving competitors today.
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