Shadab was dropped against Australia following dismal returns in the ongoing World Cup, picking up two wickets in three games at an economy rate of 6.55. The all-rounder has not been in great form in 2023 either, averaging 42.60 with the ball with a strike rate of 44.6 in 14 innings.

Pakistan’s spin bowling attack comprised of Usama Mir and Mohammad Nawaz against Australia, with the duo leaking 125 runs in 16 overs with one wicket between them.

Shadab returned to Pakistan’s side against Afghanistan in Chennai on October 23 (Monday), after Nawaz was ruled out due to fever. Confirming the news at the toss, skipper Babar Azam said, “We have one change, unfortunately Nawaz has fever and Shadab is back.”

Afghanistan have also made a change to their side keeping in mind the conditions on offer. The wicket being used for the game is the same one that was used for the India-Australia game at the start of the event. In that game, Australia were bowled out for 199 with India’s slower bowlers picking up six wickets between them.

With the track expected to be on the slower side against Pakistan as well, Afghanistan were prompted to select Noor Ahmad in place of Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Noor rose up the ranks in the IPL this year, picking up 16 wickets at an average of 23.06. He will be a part of a strong spin attack that also has Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi. Speaking on Star Sports ahead of the game, commentator Ramiz Raja quipped that Afghanistan are risking their balance by going in with too many spinners for the game.

“Afghanistan are making the mistake of playing too many spinners according to me,” he said.

Playing XIs:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil(w), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf