Asia Cup 2018, Super 4; Match 2: Pakistan vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi - Match Prediction

Afghanistan will be high on confidence when they meet Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan in their first Super four game of the Asia Cup 2018 at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They have performed quite brilliantly in the tournament so far. So much so, Afghans have already registered a couple of victories against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively. What’s your match prediction for the day?

So, after a couple of resounding victories, they will undoubtedly pose a serious threat to the heavyweights like India and Pakistan. The Men in Green won’t show any complacency whatsoever against highly-impressive Afghanistan.

Pakistan put up a clinical performance in the opening match against Hong Kong. However, they were thrashed by India in a lop-sided encounter by eight wickets.

Pakistan was found wanting in the batting department and kept losing wickets on a regular basis against arch-rivals Pakistan.

It will be a tough ask for Pakistan to beat Afghanistan

Even in the bowling department, they were not up to the mark. After a good start, they conceded the momentum to India after an onslaught from Rohit Sharma.

However, they have to perform to their potential if they harbour hopes of winning the match against Afghanistan.

It will be a tough ask for Pakistan especially given the fact that the Afghans have performed remarkably well. They have proved the fact that they are no pushovers with two huge victories against two well-established Test-playing nations.

Rashid Khan showed why he is considered one of the finest limited-overs cricketer.

Courtesy his knock of 57 off 42 deliveries, Afghanistan managed to post a more than a competitive score of 255 runs on the board at the end of their allotted 50 overs. He struck the ball very well and was instrumental in helping Afghanistan post a sizeable total on the board.

The bowling department has been quite superb in both the matches. Yet again they ran through the opposition line-up and skittled out Bangladesh for a paltry score of just 119 runs.

The victory will definitely give them a huge boost ahead of their all-important clash against Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan might look to drop Mohammad Amir who has only bagged three wickets this year at an unimpressive average of 87.

Predicted XI’s:

Pakistan:

Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan/ Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan/Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, and Usman Khan

Afghanistan:

Mohammad Shahzad, Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Match Prediction:

Though Pakistan is a much stronger team on paper, I will be backing Afghanistan to win the game. After the sort of form they have shown in this tournament so far, no one can deny this fact that they are a potential threat in the limited-overs format.

So, owing to the match prediction,  I will go with Afghanistan to win their first Super four game in the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 at Abu Dhabi against Pakistan.