MI Star Dropped For CSK Ace; Afghanistan Probable XI For UAE Tri-Series T20I Vs Pakistan

Afghanistan will take on Pakistan on Friday [Source: @ACBofficials/X]

On Friday, Afghanistan will take on Pakistan in the first T20I of the upcoming Tri-Nation series in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament gives both teams a massive opportunity to resolve their grey areas ahead of the Asia Cup. 

Afghanistan recently announced a formidable squad for the Tri-Series. Experienced spinner Rashid Khan will lead the side, while the presence of match-winners like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi makes Afghanistan a tough opponent for Agha Salman's Pakistan. 

Ahead of the cracking face-off, let's analyse and find out their probable combination for this clash. 

Top Order: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediquallah Atal

(Gurbaz, Ibrahim's stats as AFG opening pair)

• The data presented in the above table depicts the remarkable success of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran as an opening pair. Statistically, Gurbaz and Zadran have formed the second most successful T20I opening pair for Afghanistan. 
• While Gurbaz is a genuine threat to the opposition in the powerplay, courtesy of his fearless stroke play, Zadran's ability to bat long makes him a valuable asset at the top order. 
• With these two batters set to open the batting, Afghanistan could assign the number three slot to Sediqullah Atal, as the left-hander brings dynamism to the table. 

Middle Order: Darwish Rasooli, Omarzai, Nabi, Gulbadin Naib

Right-handed batter Darwish Rasooli showcased sublime form in Afghanistan's last T20I series against Zimbabwe, scoring 67 runs across two innings at a healthy strike rate of 134. So, in all likelihood, he will retain his place and shoulder Afghanistan's batting responsibilities alongside the all-rounders in the middle order. 

Omarzai, Nabi, Gulbadin form a solid all-round core

• Omarzai with bat in 7-20 overs in T20 cricket: 1126 runs, Strike rate- 129.42
• Omarzai with ball in 1-6 overs: 41 wickets, dot %- 57.35
• Nabi with bat in 16-20 overs in T20Is: 1112 runs, Strike rate - 181.7 
• Nabi with ball in 7-15 overs in T20Is: 52 wickets, economy- 6.95
• Gulbadin Naib's batting stats: 945 runs, strike rate- 121.9
• Gulbadin Naib's bowling stats: 33 wickets, strike rate - 19.7

Azmatullah Omarzai's exceptional game against pace and spin makes him a potent middle-overs enforcer. Besides scoring quick runs in the middle order, Omarzai will likely open the bowling alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi. 

The explosive duo of Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib brings firepower to Afghanistan's finishing department. These two veteran players will spearhead the lower middle order with skipper Rashid Khan, who will also lead the spin department. 

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Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

The expertise of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman

(Rashid and Mujeeb are Afghanistan's key bowlers)

Skipper Rashid Khan has been exceptional in the middle overs and can dismantle Pakistan's batting unit with his guile and variations. On the other hand, Mujeeb has been chiefly used in the powerplay, and we expect the same trend to continue in the Tri-Series. 

Why could Afghanistan pick CSK Star Noor over MI Spinner Allah Ghazanfar?

Despite oozing his class in T20 leagues across the globe, Noor Ahmad is yet to find his feet in T20I cricket for Afghanistan. The left-arm wrist spinner has managed only seven wickets in thirteen innings at a mediocre average of 37.71 and a strike rate of 32.57. 

However, the young spinner could be preferred over Allah Ghazanfar due to two primary reasons. 

Noor's recent T20 form

• After emerging as CSK's best bowler in the IPL 2025 with 24 wickets in 14 matches, Noor Ahmad bagged 15 scalps in just 11 matches in the Major League Cricket. His prolific returns in recent times could prompt Afghanistan to pick him over Ghazanfar, who missed the IPL for the Mumbai Indians due to injury. 

Noor brings variety into the Afghan attack

• While wrist-spinner Rashid Khan will be Afghanistan's key player in the middle overs, Mujeeb Ur Rahman's accuracy makes him a must-pick to bowl in the powerplay. Allah Ghazanfar is a finger spinner like Mujeeb; so, Noor, being a left-arm chinaman bowler, can ensure variety in Afghanistan's spin attack. Logically, Afghanistan can pick Ghazanfar over Mujeeb, but the latter is more likely to get the nod for the third spinner's role due to his experience and performance in T20Is over the years. 

Why could Fazalhaq Farooqi be the only frontline pacer?

• Although Afghanistan have Fareed Malik in their squad, they might pick a solitary pacer in Fazalhaq Farooqi, who can swing the ball up front in the powerplay.
• Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib can chip in with handy medium pace bowling, and considering the pitch at Sharjah Cricket Stadium assists the spinners, Farooqi could be the only frontline pacer in Afghanistan's lineup.

Afghanistan's Probable Playing XI Vs Pakistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediquallah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi

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