AFG vs PAK: 5 players to watch out for in ODI series

Afghanistan and Pakistan are all set to lock horns in a three-match ODI series starting on Tuesday, August 22. All three matches of the series will be played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota. Notably, the two teams have faced each other four times in ODIs where Pakistan have emerged victorious on all four occasions. It will be only their second ODI series and first series of over one game. Both teams have several stars in their respective squads who will light up the series with their stupendous performances. On that note, let’s take a look at the five players to watch out for in the ODI series:

1. Babar Azam

The Pakistan skipper is counted among the greatest batters of the modern era as he currently sits on top of the ICC ODI Batters’ rankings. Babar was bestowed with the prestigious ‘ODI Cricketer of the Year’ award by ICC earlier this year. The 28-year-old averaged almost 70 with the bat in 2022 and will be eager to emulate his form this year as well with the World Cup approaching.

2. Mohammad Rizwan

The 31-year-old has scored 343 runs from eight innings in 2023 so far at an average of 68.60 and a strike rate of 94.75. Rizwan would be eager to continue his form heading into the Asia Cup and World Cup. Hence, the wicketkeeper-batter will take on Afghanistan bowlers in the upcoming series to prepare for the upcoming mega events.

3. Shaheen Afridi

The left-arm seamer is among the most formidable new-ball bowlers in world cricket at the moment. Afridi has a reputation for picking wickets with the new ball and bringing the opposition on the backfoot right from the word go. The 23-year-old will be eager to pounce on the Afghanistan batters in the upcoming series to get himself ready for the Asia Cup and World Cup 2023.

4. Rashid Khan

The wrist spinner is counted among the finest spinners in the world due to his ability to bamboozle batters with a plethora of variations. Rashid, a no-brainer of a player to watch out for irrespective of where and when he plays, ranks on the third spot in the ICC ODI bowlers’ rankings and will look to climb by bowling his team to victory in the upcoming series.

5. Rahmanullah Gurbaz

The 21-year-old recently finished as the highest run scorer of the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh with 173 runs from three innings at an average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 90.10 with one hundred to his name. Gurbaz will be keen to continue his sensational form to help his side register a historic series win against Pakistan.