Will Pakistan retain same squad to face Afghanistan in must-win match?

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan national cricket team is gearing up for their fifth match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup against Afghanistan at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday.

The Pakistani team has had a mixed run in the current World Cup, winning two matches against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and losing two matches, one against India and another against Australia. They are currently fourth in the points table, with four points from four games.

As they face the challenge of Afghanistan, who have surprised many with their spirited performances, sources reveal that there will be no major changes to Pakistan’s batting and bowling lineup for this crucial match.

According to the sources, the management is backing the same team that played against Australia in the previous match.

However, the possible inclusion of Shadab Khan, the team’s vice-captain and leg-spinner, for the final eleven is still under consideration.

Shadab Khan had been given a week’s rest after he suffered a groin injury in the match against Australia. He has been undergoing rehabilitation and recovery sessions before the Afghanistan match.

The sources said that the final decision regarding the lineup for the Afghanistan match will be made during the toss by the Pakistan cricket management.

“The team is keen to maintain their performance consistency and secure a win in this critical World Cup encounter,” the sources said.

According to a report in Espncricinfo, defeat for Afghanistan in the impending match would all but guarantee their elimination, while a loss for Babar Azam’s Pakistan leaves his team with no margin for error in the Cricket World Cup.

Afghanistan has found itself in the frustrating position of being unable to secure a One Day International (ODI) victory against their regional rivals, Pakistan, despite numerous closely contested encounters. Their 2019 World Cup heartbreak remains etched in memory, as they were tantalizingly close to eliminating Pakistan but ultimately fell short.

A victory in the upcoming match against Pakistan on Monday would offer a similar, potentially pivotal impact. While glimpses of promise have characterized Afghanistan’s journey, inconsistency with both bat and ball has marred their overall performance.

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Afghanistan holds a notable advantage in two key areas over their illustrious adversaries: a potent top-order batting lineup and world-class spin bowling.

In this World Cup, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been a force to be reckoned with, smashing seven sixes in the powerplay, a feat yet to be achieved by Pakistan in the entirety of 2023. Given Pakistan’s struggles with their openers’ form, Afghanistan sees an opportunity to exploit this vulnerability.

In the realm of bowling, Afghanistan’s proficiency in spin remains unmatched, featuring the formidable trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. Conversely, Pakistan has grappled with the optimization of their spin resources, occasionally resorting to pace or withdrawing expensive spinners during the middle overs of innings.

Coupled with queries surrounding the tactical acumen of Babar Azam’s in-game captaincy, Afghanistan senses an opportunity to capitalize on potential Pakistani vulnerabilities.

The stage is set for a closely contested, strategically intriguing match in the Cricket World Cup, with significant implications for both teams.