Pakistan and Afghanistan lock horns in the 22nd match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Despite losing to India and Australia, Pakistan currently occupies the fifth position in the league table with a net run rate of -0.456. Captain Babar Azam will be looking to inspire his team to bring their best performance to the table in this crucial match.
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On the other hand, Afghanistan faced a tough challenge against New Zealand, where they were outplayed in all three departments of the game.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and the Afghan team will aim for an improved performance, particularly with the bat after they were crushed for just 139 by the Kiwis.
PAK vs AFG Cricket World Cup 2023: Live updates, scorecard, result and highlights
Follow below for all the action from this Cricket World Cup 2023 match, or you can check out the live scorecard here.
10:02 pm- In this year's tournament, Afghanistan have now tripled their tally of World Cup wins, beating England and now Pakistan, two former champions. In both games, they've fully deserved their wins.
Afghanistan are now level on points with Pakistan, who have lost three straight games. There's a long way to go, and there's no guarantee they win any more matches, but surely they can dream of a top four berth.
9:56 pm- AFGHANISTAN WIN! It's a full toss on leg stump from Shaheen, and Shahidi swings it away for four on the leg side, takes off his helmet and roars with joy! Afghanistan 286/2 in 49 overs (Rahmat 77*, Shahidi 48*).
9:39 pm- 5 overs to go now, and with 8 wickets in hand you'd think Afghanistan would really start to put the foot down and knock off these runs quickly. They're looking comfortable as is, but still enough in this match for it to go either way, though. Afghanistan 253/2 in 45 overs (Rahmat 58*, Shahidi 35*).
9:14 pm- There were some quiet overs in the middle period, but going into the last 10, this could be an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Afghanistan have 8 wickets in hand and need 62 more to win. Afghanistan 221/2 in 40 overs (Rahmat 49*, Shahidi 14*).
The new batter is Hashmatullah Shahidi.
8:44 pm- WICKET! Could this be the way back for Pakistan? This ball pitches on a length, but bounces a bit more than the batter expected. Zadran can only edge this through to Mohammad Rizwan, and Afghanistan are two down. Afghanistan 190/2 in 33.3 overs (Rahmat 32*, Zadran 87).
8:24 pm- The batters in the middle have consolidated well since Gurbaz was dismissed, and Pakistan are starting to look a little flat in the field again. To add to their woes, the bowling has also been quite erratic. The chasing side are very much on top now. Afghanistan 175/1 in 30 overs (Rahmat 22*, Zadran 82*).
8:02 pm- There's a period of stabilisation in progress here, after the fall of Gurbaz. Afghanistan are still ahead of this game while Pakistan need another breakthrough, preferably the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran. Afghanistan 152/1 in 25 overs (Rahmat 8*, Zadran 74*).
Rahmat Shah comes to the crease.
7:45 pm- WICKET! Shaheen returns, and strikes instantly! Gurbaz tries to take him on instantly, and the top edge flies to Usama Mir at third man. Afghanistan 130/1 in 21.2 overs (Gurbaz 65, Zadran 62*).
7:40 pm- Afghanistan continue to motor on here, and they're scoring at an excellent clip. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been warmign up, and he needs to provide a breakthrough if Pakistan are going to make a comeback. Afghanistan 128/0 in 20 overs (Gurbaz 64*, Zadran 61*).
7:18 pm- Pakistan need to find a wicket from somewhere. It's too easy for Afghanistan at the moment, particularly with the fielding lapses. The batters have dealt extremely well with Shaheen and Hasan Ali, and are starting to score fluently. Afghanistan 98/0 in 15 overs (Gurbaz 45*, Zadran 51*).
6:56 pm- The runs are beginning to flow now for Afghanistan. With 10 wickets still in the shed, they could fancy their chances, especially if these two stick around for another 10-15 overs or so. Afghanistan 60/0 in 10 overs (Gurbaz 28*, Zadran 32*).
6:31 pm- This has been a good start for Afghanistan, even if Pakistan's bowlers haven't been asking them too many questions. Zadran has taken the early initiative, but don't expect Gurbaz to stay quiet for too long. Afghanistan 28/0 in 5 overs (Gurbaz 8*, Zadran 20*).
6:11 pm- Pakistan had a lovely lift at the end of their innings thanks to Iftikhar and Shadab. 283 will be a very challenging score on this surface, and Afghanistan will be up against it. Here are the openers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz on strike, facing Shaheen Shah Afridi. Tucked away down the leg side for four. Afghanistan 4/0 in 0.1 overs (Gurbaz 4*, Zadran 0*).
Join us after the innings break.
5:42 pm- Great finish by Pakistan. Iftikhar and Shadab cashed in on Babar's patient knock to take their team to an above par total.
5:40 pm- WICKET! Pakistan finish at 282/7. Shadab's catch gets taken on the final ball. Naveen bowls a terrific last over. Pakistan 282/7 in 50 overs (Shaheen 3*)
Shaheen Shah Afridi is Pakistan's No.8.
5:36 pm- WICKET! End of a wonderful innings. Iftikhar has given Pakistan a massive edge with his cameo. Pakistan 279/6 in 49.2 overs (Shadab 40*, Shaheen 0*)
5:22 pm- Pakistan have already reached a decent total. Shadab and Iftikhar still have three overs in their hands to cause more destruction. Pakistan 250/5 in 47 overs (Shadab 33*, Iftikhar 21*)
5:09 pm- Important five overs coming up. This will decide if Pakistan end up with above par total. They have done well so far. Pakistan 221/5 in 45 overs (Shadab 19*, Iftikhar 8*)
Iftikhar Ahmed is out in the center.
4:55 pm- WICKET! Babar is gone. Noor Ahmad takes a three-for on his World Cup debut. Pakistani skipper tries to play a flat batted shot but hands an easy catch at extra cover. Pakistan 206/5 in 41.5 overs (Shadab 16*, Iftikhar 0*)
4:30 pm- 50 FOR BABAR! He is back among the runs. Ominous signs for Pakistan. Pakistan 169/4 in 35.3 overs (Babar 50*, Shadab 3*)
Shadab Khan comes to the middle.
4:22 pm- WICKET! Nabi strikes. Saud comes to the pitch of the delivery, flicks the ball across the line and holes out a mid-on. Pakistan 163/4 in 34 overs (Babar 47*, Iftikhar 0*)
4:06 pm- Afghanistan are dictating terms. Spinners have stopped Pakistan from scoring freely and they must now find a way to keep the scoreboard ticking. Pakistan 139/3 in 30 overs (Babar 41*, Shakeel 9*)
Saud Shakeel walks out to bat.
3:45 pm- WICKET! Noor bags another. Rizwan sweeps against the line and top-edges the ball to short fine-leg. Pakistan 120/3 in 24.4 overs (Babar 35*, Shakeel 0*)
Mohammad Rizwan is in at No.4.
3:37 pm- WICKET! Noor Ahmad dismisses Shafique as the latter gets trapped LBW. This is his maiden World Cup wicket. Pakistan 110/2 in 22.3 overs (Babar 33*, Rizwan 0*)
3:19 PM- 50 FOR SHAFIQUE! He has been Pakistan's best batter in the tournament. This is his second half-century in the World Cup. He has also hit a hundred. Pakistan 93/1 in 18.4 overs (Shafique 50*, Babar 25*)
3:03 pm- Last five overs have belonged to Afghanistan. They have conceded a few boundaries here and there. Still, it's job well done. Pakistan 78/1 in 15 overs (Shafique 43*, Babar 17*)
Rashid Khan is in the attack.
Babar Azam is the new batter.
2:44 pm- WICKET! Omarzai bangs in short and Imam fails to execute the pull and hit the ball straight to the hands of the fielder at mid-wicket. Pakistan 56/1 in 10.1 overs (Shafique 38*, Babar 0*)
2:42 pm- Great start for Pakistan as their openers neutralised Afghanistan's spin ploy in the first powerplay. Afghanistan 56/0 in 10 overs (Shafique 38*, Imam 17*)
Azmatullah Omarzai has the ball in his hand. He will bowl the ninth over.
2:33 pm- Shafique is out there proving a point. He has now taken the attack to Mujeeb, smashing a four and a six on consecutive deliveries as Pakistan race off to 50 runs in the eighth over. Pakistan 51/0 in 8 overs (Shafique 35*, Imam 15*)
Mohammad Nabi comes in to the attack.
2:22 pm- Pakistan starts off nicely. Imam as usually is taking his time. Shafique is looking for boundaries. Pakistan 26/0 in 5 overs (Shafique 19*, Imam 6*)
2:17 pm- SIX! STOP THE PRESS. Pakistan have hit their first six in the batting powerplay since June 2022, courtesy Shafique. Pakistan 25/0 in 4.3 overs (Shafique 18*, Imam 6*)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman will bowl from the other end.
1:59 pm- Pakistan openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq are the crease. Naveen-ul-Haq will start the proceedings for Afghanistan. Let the game begin.
PAK vs AFG: Line-ups
Playing XI for Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Kha , Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Playing XI for Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad
PAK vs AFG: Toss
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat.
PAK vs AFG Head-to-Head in ODIs
The two teams have played seven ODIs against one another with Pakistan winning on all occasions.
| Won | Lost | |
| Pakistan | 7 | 0 |
| Afghanistan | 0 | 7 |
PAK vs AFG: Weather Forecast in Chennai
It will be a sunny day in Chennai with the temperature touching 34° Celsius with very little chance of rain.
MORE: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: Pitch report, records and highest scores in ODIs ahead of Pakistan vs Afghanistan Cricket World Cup 2023 match
PAK vs AFG Predictions, tips and betting odds
Pakistan are considered to be the favourites in their upcoming match against Afghanistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Players like Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, and Imam-ul-Haq have been in excellent form with the bat. Additionally, Shaheen Afridi showed his prowess with the ball in the previous match against Australia.
If they play to their potential, Pakistan should return to winning ways after successive defeats against India and Australia.
As per Dafabet odds, Pakistan will start as favourites.
| Winning team | Odds (via Dafa) |
| Pakistan | 1.33 |
| Afghanistan | 3.45 |
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