AFG vs PAK, Cricket Exchange Fantasy Predictions: Afghanistan vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I (Source: Twitter/@TheRealPCB)
The second of the third T20 international matches will see Afghanistan play against Pakistan. The encounter is scheduled at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday, March 26, at 9:30 PM IST. Before the action begins, let us look at some of the important stats, the prime player picks, and the best-predicted XIs for the fantasy contests of the match.
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Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan side stunned everyone in the series opener as they registered their first-ever victory over Pakistan across formats. The Men in Green, batting first, managed to post only 92/9 in their allotted 20 overs, with six Afghan bowlers amongst the wickets. Seasoned campaigner Mohammad Nabi steered the run-chase by remaining not out on 38. Rashid and his team will look to close out the series in the second game, while Shadab Khan would hope to make a comeback and level the series.
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Pitch Report- Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
The bowlers got a lot of help from the surface in the opening T20I of the series. Pacers and spinners both enjoyed bowling on the 22-yard strip.
Numbers at the ground (Overall T20I Cricket)
Total Matches: 30
Matches won batting first: 16
Matches won batting second: 13
Tied: 1
Average score batting first: 149
Average score batting second: 124
Average runs per over: 7.27
Average runs per wicket: 21.00
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Head-to-Head
Afghanistan and Pakistan have met each other four times in T20 internationals, with the Men in Green winning on three occasions. Afghanistan's maiden victory over Pakistan came in the last game itself.
Head-to-Head (Overall)
Total Matches: 4
Afghanistan won: 1
Pakistan won: 3
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Probable Playing XIs
Afghanistan Team News
After a historic win, the Afghans will go with the winning combination in the second encounter.
Afghanistan Probable Playing XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Pakistan Team News
Pakistan may look to bring Shan Masood or Iftikhar Ahmed in place of a struggling Abdullah Shafique, who now has three ducks in his first 4 T20 internationals. Notably, all three ducks have now come on the trot.
Pakistan Probable Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Abdullah Shafique/Shan Masood/Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan (c), Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, and Ihsanullah.
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Top Five Picks
- Saim Ayub (PAK): Making his debut in the last game, youngster Saim Ayub, who opened the innings, looked good in his brief stay at the crease. The left-handed batter scored 17 off 15 with two fours and a six. He seems a promising talent and could make his mark in this fixture.
- Imad Wasim (PAK): Pakistan suffered a hammering in the series opener against Afghanistan, scoring only 92/9. All-rounder Imad Wasim top-scored with 18 and also picked up a wicket. He is coming off a solid PSL campaign in which he struck 404 runs and took nine wickets.
- Ihsanullah (PAK): Another debutant from the last match, pacer Ihsanullah impressed with his spell of 2/17 in 3.5 overs. The 20-year-old seamer has a bright future and has been getting praise from former cricketers for his seam bowling. Notably, he recently picked up the second-most wickets in PSL with 22 wickets in 12 innings.
- Mohammad Nabi (AFG): Former skipper and veteran Mohammad Nabi won the Player of the Match award in the last game for his all-round skills. He amassed a run-a-ball unbeaten 38 that took his side to a victory by six wickets in the 18th over. Nabi also picked up 2/12 in his 3-over spell.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG): Dashing wicketkeeper opener Rahmahullah Gurbaz scored 16 off 17 with 1 four and a six in his short stay in the opening T20I. Approaching landmark 1000 runs in the format with 957 runs, he could come in handy that helps his side in sealing the series.
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Must picks for the match
Afghanistan
- Mohammad Nabi - 38 runs and 2 wickets in 1 match
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz - 16 runs in 1 match
- Rashid Khan - 1 wicket in 1 match
Pakistan
- Saim Ayub - 17 runs in 1 match
- Imad Wasim - 18 runs and 1 wicket in 1 match
- Ihsanullah - 2 wickets in 1 match
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Risky Picks
Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai
Pakistan: Faheem Ashraf, Zaman Khan
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Best Captain and Vice-captain choices
- Imad Wasim (PAK)
- Saim Ayub (PAK)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Team for Head-to-Head Contests
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AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Team for Head-to-Head Contests ( Powered by Cricket Exchange)
Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azam Khan
Batters: Najibullah Zadran, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir
All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ihsanullah
Captain: Imad Wasim
Vice-captain: Mohammad Nabi
AFG: 6 Players, PAK: 5 Players
AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Team for Winner Takes All Contests
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AFG vs PAK, 2nd T20I: Team for Winner Takes All Contests (Powered by Cricket Exchange)
Wicketkeepers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Haris
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir
All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Naseem Shah
Captain: Saim Ayub
Vice-captain: Imad Wasim
AFG: 6 Players, PAK: 5 Players