Afghanistan vs Pakistan 3rd ODI 2023 – After the back-to-back wins in the last two matches, Pakistan is now aiming for a clean sweep while on the other hand, Afghanistan is determined to taste at least a consolation win. However, before the Asia Cup 2023 both the teams are preparing their cricketers with this Afghanistan vs Pakistan series.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan 3rd ODI Match Preview:
Afghanistan:
In the last match, wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz was glittering with the bat for Afghanistan. He finished the innings with the highest score of 151 runs in 151 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and 3 over-boundaries. He was well-partnered by Ibrahim Zadran, who made 80 runs in 101 balls.
Off-spinner Md Nabi bowled well for Afghanistan and picked up 2 for 46 in his span of 10 overs. Besides Nabi, left-arm quick, Fazalhaq Farooqi also showcased promise in his opening spell and picked 3 for 69 in 9.5 overs.
Pakistan:
In the second match, opener Imam-Ul-Haq played well and finished the innings with the highest score of 91 in 105 balls with the help of 4 boundaries. Skipper Babar Azam also supported him and scored 53 runs in 66 balls.
Besides Babar and Imam, all-rounder Shadab Khan did well. He played a smashing 48 in 35 balls with the help of 3 boundaries and a single over-boundary. Tail-ender Naseem Shah struck two fours off the last over to see Pakistan pull off a close victory over the opponents.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan 3rd ODI 2023 Match Details:
The third Afghanistan vs Pakistan match is going to commence on 26th August 2023 at 15:00. The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium at Hambantota in Sri Lanka will organize the match. We saw, in the second match, Pakistan beat Afghanistan by a close margin. So, this time, Afghanistan will look to learn from their previous mistakes and put in an improved performance with bowling. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi will hope that his side can earn a consolation win over Pakistan on this last day.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan 3rd ODI 2023 Predicted Playing XI:
Predicted Playing XI for Afghanistan:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan; Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan; Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmat Shah, Noor Ahmad.
Predicted Playing XI for Pakistan:
Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman; Mohammad Haris, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmad, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz; Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan 3rd ODI 2023 Key Players:
Pakistan:
Pakistan could make three changes in the last match. Md Nawaz, Md Haris, and Md Wasim Jnr. could come in place of Usama Mir, Md Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi into the playing XI.
However, in the next Afghanistan vs Pakistan match, the batting onus will be on Captain Babar Azam, wicket-keeper Md Haris, elite opener Imam-Ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, all-rounders Shadab Khan and Md Nawaz to score the maximum of the runs. The key batter might be the captain himself in the next match.
In the bowling department; the pressure will be on the pace trio of Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Md Wasim Jnr. to make deadly breakthroughs. Md Nawaz and Shadab Khan will be the two preferred spinners as well as key bowling options for Pakistan.
Afghanistan:
Afghanistan probably will make two changes as Noor Ahmad and Rahmat Shah will be slotted into the place of Abdul Rehman and Shahidullah Kamal. In the batting section, the expectations will be on the wicket-keeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz; Mohammad Nabi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, and Hashmatullah Shahidi to make the bulk of the runs. Gurbaz will be the key player in the third match.
In the bowling department, Afghanistan will rely on Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to provide needed breakthroughs. Rashid Khan is the key player for the next match for Afghanistan.
Pitch & Weather Conditions:
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota is fixed to host the third and final match of Afghanistan vs Pakistan.
The wicket prepared for the match in the stadium is going to be excellent for the batters with a bit advantage for the bowlers. The weather prediction for Saturday’s match is going to be wholly sunny with humidity around 71%.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan 3rd ODI 2023 Match Prediction:
Based on the current form, Pakistan will be the clear favorite to win the third game of Afghanistan vs Pakistan. With the likes of Babar Azam, Imam-Ul-Haq, and Shadab Khan putting in significant performances, the ‘Green Men’ will be keen to maintain their winning in this dead rubber.
On the opposite side, Afghan bowlers once again faltered in the final overs of the innings. Hashmatullah Shahidi and his boys will have to do something beyond the expectations to avoid an ODI series whitewash against Pakistan. So, my prediction is for Pakistan to beat Afghanistan in the final game at Hambantota.
