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SHARJAH: Pakistan, fresh off their exciting triumph over India, will try to beat Afghanistan here on Wednesday in order to guarantee a position in the Asia Cup final.
With a win over India in their Super Four opener on Sunday, Pakistan exacted revenge for their group stage loss to their fiercest rivals. Babar Azam’s team will also advance to Sunday’s final with a game remaining after Sri Lanka defeated India on Tuesday.
Pakistan is encouraged by the return of bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, who missed the India match due to a side strain sustained during Pakistan’s win over Hong Kong in their last group encounter. Pakistan has won both of its Twenty20 Internationals against Afghanistan.
More crucially, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan is recovering well from knee soreness he sustained during his innings on Sunday. Rizwan’s 71-run effort was crucial to the team’s triumph against India.
After undergoing a preemptive MRI scan on Monday, Rizwan’s status as an opener and behind the wickets has been confirmed by the team management.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Babar informed the media that Rizwan and Dahani were doing well. “Earlier, I spoke with Rizwan, and he seems better.”
Saqlain Mushtaq, the head coach of Pakistan, is optimistic that his team can continue their unbeaten streak against Afghanistan even with a full strength roster at their disposal.
“We are confident to get a hat-trick of victories on Wednesday, but Afghanistan is a good side and they have shown that occasionally,” Saqlain said on the PCB website.
“Spinners will benefit from the conditions in Sharjah, but if a batter stays in the middle of the pitch, there will be plenty of runs available with shorter boundaries in the latter part of the innings.”
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be trying to go back to its early tournament form after eliminating Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the group round and making it to the Super Four.
On the more favorable Sharjah surface, they will rely on their spin combination of Rashid Khan, Mujib ur Rahman, and skipper Muhammad Nabi to upset Pakistan’s potent batting lineup.
Afghanistan’s win would open up the Super Four stage, requiring Pakistan to defeat Sri Lanka in their last game and keeping the reigning champions India in the mix.
And if Pakistan loses its next two games, beginning on Wednesday, and India wins its last match against Afghanistan, the outcome may easily depend on net run rate.
As a result, it looks to be a make-or-break game in Sharjah for both teams.
