Pakistan face Afghanistan in Match 22 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 23. Here is the PAK vs AFG World Cup 2023 match live score, as well as updates, playing XI and toss news.
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Pakistan v Afghanistan, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Match 22
October 23, 2023
2 pm local time
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
PAK vs AFG, World Cup 2023 Match 22: Live score
Click here to check live score from Pakistan vs Afghanistan
Pakistan vs Afghanistan, World Cup 2023: Toss and live updates
The toss will take place at 1:30pm local time.
PAK vs AFG, World Cup 2023 Match 22: Team news
On what should be a spinning pitch at Chennai, Pakistan’s biggest conundrum is the makeup of their spin attack, which has disappointed so far in the tournament. Usama Mir got his first outing of the tournament against Australia but was expensive, finishing with figures of 1-82. He also dropped David Warner on ten, before Warner went on to make a hundred. Shadab Khan could come back into the side to replace Mir, but he could equally be used as a replacement for Mohammad Nawaz, who also disappointed against Australia.
There’s no prospect of a return for Fakhar Zaman, who has been ruled out of the clash with a knee injury. The rest of the Pakistan squad have reportedly recovered after a virus hit their squad last week.
Afghanistan have a more straight forward selection path. They looked good against New Zealand until they started dropping their catches, and they have arguably the best spin attack in the competition. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman are guaranteed starts. More than likely as is 22-year-old Ikram Alikhil, who impressed against both England and New Zealand.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan predicted XIs
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Match prediction: Who will win today’s Pakistan-Afghanistan match?
Pakistan can’t afford to lose, and they go in as favourites. But, Afghanistan’s win over England and encouraging performance in places against New Zealand means Pakistan can’t take them lightly. It could be close, with Pakistan favourites to edge it out.
