Pakistan’s demolition squad set to roll over Afghanistan

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Pakistan cricket team is all charged and will look to move closer to a semi-final spot at the ICC T20 World Cup when it takes on Afghanistan in a Group 2 Super 12 game at Dubai International Stadium on Friday (today). The match will start at 7:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time).

Pakistan has so far played 13 T20Is in the UAE since 2016, winning all of them. Babar Azam’s in-form men will start favourites against Mohammed Nabi’s Afghanistan, which began its campaign with a 130-run win over Scotland.

Mujeebur Rahman, with his variety of off-breaks, googlies and carrom balls, finished with five for 20. Such was its dominance that by the time Rashid Khan, the No 3-ranked T20I bowler in the world, came on to bowl, Afghanistan was already on course for a big win against Scotland, who were one of the few minnows playing in the tournament.

Pakistan will take on Afghanistan in what is expected to be a highly-charged clash as both teams will face each other for the first time nearly after eight years.

Today’s T20 World Cup encounter has assumed importance as Pakistan can cement its place in the semi-final if it wins the match.

The Pakistani squad for the Afghanistan clash will likely remain unchanged — and the same team which defeated New Zealand would step on the ground today.

Former Pakistani cricketers have cautioned the Men in Green to not take the rivals lightly.

Both the teams are unbeaten and both are in the top two of Group 2. Pakistan crushed India, then took down New Zealand while Afghanistan have routed Scotland with a massive net run-rate that might end up being crucial later on.