PAK VS AFG Match Prediction 

22nd Match, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Who Will Win Today's Match?

PAK Vs AFG Match Prediction

PAK Vs AFG Match Preview

Pakistan and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in Match No.22 of the World Cup 2023 on Monday, October 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Although Afghanistan are yet to beat Pakistan in ODIs, the two teams have been involved in some thrilling contests over the years. Back in the 2019 World Cup, it needed a stupendous knock from Imad Wasim to help Pakistan win the match by three wickets with two balls remaining at the Headingley in Leeds.
 

Pakistan Preview

Pakistan have lost their way in the tournament after an impressive start. They defeated the Netherlands after which they recorded the highest successful run-chase in the history of the World Cup. But since then, they have had their fair share of troubles.

The Men in Green slumped to a humiliating defeat by seven wickets at the hands of Rohit Sharma’s India. On Friday, October 20, Pakistan lost to Pat Cummins’ Australia by 62 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Pakistan - Who Will Be The Best Batter?

Imam-ul-Haq is slowly getting into his groove in the World Cup. After a couple of low scores against Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Imam showed form against India where he scored 36. 

In the match against Australia, Imam scored 70 runs before Marcus Stoinis dismissed him. Imam is also the leading run-scorer in ODIs between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
 

Top Batter Stats - Recent Matches

Betting Tip - Best Batter For Pakistan

Pakistan - Who Will Be The Best Bowler?

Shaheen Shah Afridi looked a tad off color in Pakistan’s first four matches of World Cup 2023. But on Friday, the left-arm pacer picked up a five-wicket haul against Australia. He also became the first Pakistani pacer to pick up more than one fifer in the World Cup. 

His earlier five-wicket haul came against Bangladesh at the Lords’s. In World Cup 2023, Shaheen has picked up 9 wickets.

Top Bowler Stats - Recent Matches

Betting Tip - Best Bowler For Pakistan

Afghanistan Preview

Afghanistan defeated England at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and made one of the biggest upsets in the history of World Cups.

 But apart from that, they have struggled as they are placed ninth in the table with two points and a net run rate of -1.250. They will go into the match after losing to Tom Latham’s New Zealand by 149 runs at the Chepauk.

Apart from working on their batting and bowling, Afghanistan also need to improve their fielding. They gave the New Zealand batters six chances and that ended up costing them big time.
 

Afghanistan - Who Will Be The Best Batter?

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has arguably been the standout batter for Afghanistan in World Cup 2023. The opening batter has scored 159 runs from four matches at an average of 39.75 and a strike-rate of 94.64 with a top score of 80 against England to his name. 

Gurbaz also played an excellent knock of 151, when Pakistan and Afghanistan met earlier this year on the tour of Sri Lanka.

Top Batter Stats - Recent Matches

Betting Tip - Best Batter For Afghanistan

Afghanistan - Who Will Be The Best Bowler?

Rashid Khan is currently the leading wicket-taker for Afghanistan in World Cup 2023 and it does not spring a surprise. Having taken six wickets from four matches at an economy rate of 5.06, Rashid has been on top of his game. 

Rashid has also taken seven wickets in ODIs against Pakistan and his role is going to hold a lot of importance.

Top Bowler Stats - Recent Matches

Betting Tip - Best Bowler For Afghanistan

PAK Vs AFG - Who Will Be The Player Of The Match?

In five ODIs against Afghanistan, Imam-ul-Haq has scored 281 runs at an average of 56.20 with a top score of 91. Having played a decent knock against the Aussies, Imam will also be high on confidence. Hence, he is expected to be among the top performers in the upcoming match in Chennai

PAK Vs AFG - Who Will Win Today's Toss?

Regardless of the conditions in Chennai, If Pakistan win the toss, they should look to bat first as Afghanistan struggle in run-chases as was seen against New Zealand.

 The Afghans should also bat first and then attack the opposition with the quality spinners that they have. Targets of above 250 can be tough for teams to chase down.
 

PAK Vs AFG Venue, Pitch and Weather Report

The Chepauk is mostly known for largely helping the spinners. The track is also expected to get better for batting in the second half, although bowlers will still have their roles to play. 

There is no chance of rain as of now in Chennai. Playing conditions will be on the hotter side with temperatures around 33 degrees Celsius. The humidity will be in the 60s throughout.