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'Darr ka mahaul hai' - Fans react as Afghanistan picks 4 spinners in playing XI against Pakistan in ODI World Cup 2023

Pakistan and Afghanistan are in action in the 22nd match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Pakistan are batting first after winning the toss.

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Mathew K
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Pakistan vs Afghanistan (File Photo, Twitter)

Pakistan vs Afghanistan (File Photo, Twitter)

Afghanistan shocked everyone with their decision to play 4 spinners in the playing XI against Pakistan. Notably, both teams are locking horns in the 22nd match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Pak skipper Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first.

Meanwhile, the only dangerous factor for Pakistan is going to be the four-spinner tactic of Afghanistan in this all-important clash for both teams to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. The Afghanistan team management has opted to field their playing XI with four specialist spinners, including the likes of Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad.

Speaking of Pakistan, they have brought Shadab back into the playing XI and Mohammad Nawaz has been rested from this match against Afghanistan. Shadab Khan and Usama Mir will be there in the role of two specialist spinners, alongside extra-spin support from senior all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed.

Here’s a look at the Pakistan’s playing XI against Afghanistan:

Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf.

Afghanistan’s playing XI for the match against Pakistan:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Noor Ahmad.

Talking about the performance of both the teams in the tournament so far, Pakistan have won two out of the four matches they played so far. The men in green have lost two matches against the arch-rivals India and five-time World Cup champions, Australia, respectively.

On the other hand, Afghanistan have also played four matches in their ODI World Cup 2023. They have lost three matches out of these four. Apart from this, they registered a historic and remarkable win against the defending champions, England.

Here’s how fans reacted to the four-spinner strategy of Afghanistan against Pakistan: 

ODI World Cup 2023 Featured Pakistan vs Afghanistan