Afghanistan are all set to lock horns with Pakistan in the first ODI of the three-match series. 

The battle is scheduled to take place at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota today (22 Aug).

The Afghans will be led by dynamic Hashmatullah Shahidi in the series, while Pakistan’s regular skipper and star batter Babar Azam will head the Men in Green.

As far as the squad of the two teams are concerned, Afghanistan’s team features many prominent players, including the likes of Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mujeeb-ul-Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Nabi. On the other hand, Pakistan have also assembled a strong line-up comprising Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Imam-ul-Haq, among other notable names.

Both Afghanistan and Pakistan will look to start the series on a high note. 

These matches will serve as a perfect platform for both teams to train themselves for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

Meanwhile, speaking to PCB, Paksitan’s Babar Azam said he feels Pakistan has a strong momentum going their way after the Test series win in Sri Lanka.

“We enter this series with good momentum following our Test series win here and we are eager to build on it,” Babar told PCB Digital ahead of the Afghanistan series.

“We have a few new faces in the side and I wish them good luck for the challenges ahead. Most of the boys have been playing cricket in different leagues, but when you don the Pakistan star, it is a different feeling altogether. 

Speaking on the series against Afghanistan, Azam said “The Afghanistan team is on the rise and they have some good bowlers”, adding “We are focused in our preparations as we have big events in the Asia Cup and the World Cup coming up”. 

Source - Cricket Times / ICC

- Agencies