Pakistan vs Afghanistan, ICC CWC, 2023 Oct 23 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! That is a fine last over from Naveen-ul-Haq! Really good! A short ball outside off, Shadab Khan looks to flat bat it down the ground. He holes out to the fielder at long on. Pakistan END WITH 282!

Shorter in length and outside off, this is pushed past cover for one more.

Slower one outside off, Shaheen Afridi swings but misses.

Two! On middle, Shaheen Afridi jams it out towards mid-wicket and takes two.

OUT! TAKEN! Iftikhar Ahmed falls but he has done a fine job for his side. This is full and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to go over cover. There is a fieler in the deep and he takes it. Really good stuff. Bowled to his field there.

Dot to begin the last over! Outside off, fuller, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to carve it out but misses.

A very unfortunate news coming in! The former Indian captain and a legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi, has passed away. He was 77 years old. Bedi sir was a part of Indian cricket's golden quartet of spinners. His words of wisdom will be missed. Rest in peace, legend!

Two again to end! 16 from the over. This is a massive over for Pakistan. Shorter and outside off, Shadab slaps it towards cover. The fielder dives to his right and makes a half stop. Two taken.

Two! A low full toss, this is hit wide of long on and two is taken.

Well fielded! Outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed guides it towards short third man. The fielder dives to his left and stops it well. Only one.

WIDE! Well wide outside off. Left alone. Wided.

WIDE! Pressure, pressure getting to the bowler! Goes short but way too short. Ducked under.

SIX! Another strong hit! Iftikhar Ahmed seems to be playing on a different wicket. Right i the slot though. Fuller and on middle, this is heaved over the long off fence.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Another slower short ball, this is pulled down to long on for one more.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Two more! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for two.

A single as this is hit down to long off.

Slower one outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed slashes but misses.

FOUR! Edgy! Pakistan won't mind how they come as long as they do. Outside off, fuller, Iftikhar Ahmed slashes at it, it goes off the outside edge and down to the third man fence.

SIX! BANG! Over the fence! Right in the slot and it is put away! Fuller and on middle, this is heaved over the long off fence for a biggie.

BEATEN! Shorter and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed slashes at it but misses.

A short one outside off, Shadab Khan looks to pull but it goes off the inside edge towards the keeper.

Around off, this is lofted down towards long off for one.

FOUR! Deft! That is nicely played! Really good shot! This though is a poor ball. Shorter and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed waits and then guides it past point for boundary. Iftikhar Ahmed is playing a gem here.

Shorter and outside off, this is pushed past cover for one.

FOUR MORE! This is excellent placement! Full and outside off, Shadab Khan jams it out past the point fielder and it races away towards the third man fence. The fielder runs to his left, dives but his effort goes in vain.

SIX! BANG! Over the fence! Runs flowing now! Short again and on middle, this is haved over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Way too short. Wided.

Shorter and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

SIX! KABOOM! That is all power! This is short and on middle, it sits up to be hit. Iftikhar Ahmed waits for it and then slams it over the long on fence for a biggie.

WIDE! A bumper but it is way too short. Ducked under.

A yorker on off, this is jammed down to long off for one.

Short and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and around off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Around off, this is pushed to cover.

SIX! BANG! The slog sweep is out. It lands around off, it is nailed over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

On the off pole, Iftikhar Ahmed pushes it to cover.

Shorter in length and outside off, this is guided to point.

Around off, blocked.

Shortish and outside off, this is guided to point.

On middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

BEATEN! Length and outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to push at it but is beaten.

A yorker on middle, this is jammed through mid-wicket for one.

Fuller and outside off, Shadab Khan looks to drive but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler.

Better! Fuller and on off, Shadab pushes it to the left of the bowler. Wants a run but is sent back.

FOUR! That is a poor ball to begin with! On the pads, Shadab tickles it fine and this one races away to the fine leg fence.

Change! Finally a seamer comes back into the attack as Naveen-ul-Haq is introduced.

Shortish and on off, Iftikhar Ahmed plays it to point. Tidy over this.

Outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed guides it to point.

On middle, this is nudged around the corner for one.

Tossed up on off, defended.

Another one on the shorter side, Iftikhar Ahmed pushes it through covers for one.

Shorter and around off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Flatter and on off, defended. An excellent spell from Noor comes to an end. He has justified his selection.

OUT! TAKEN! Noor has his third. He gets his revenge on Azam. That is such a timely wicket. Azam was looking to break free and now he falls. Pakistan will now have a new and a relatively new batter out there in the middle at a time where they would have been looking to step on the gas. Perfect chance for Afghanistan to turn the tide in their favor. Not the best of balls by Noor. Shorter and outside off, Azam looks to slap it hard but does so straight to the cover fielder. Nabi takes it. A good knock from Babar but he needed to kick on from here.

A single as this is pushed down to long on.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Brilliant running! On middle, flatter, this is worked through mid-wicket. Two taken.

SIX! BANG! Azam has decided to step on the gas! A biggie to begin this over. Noor under pressure now. 200 up. Tossed up around off, Azam lofts it over the long on fence. That was not a very bad ball but such is the class of this man.

That is some effort! Wow! A serious effort from Noor Ahmad! This is tossed up around off, Azam looks to go downtown but it goes more off the inner half. Noor at long on, runs in, slides but it lands just short. He takes it on the bounce.

Shortish and outside off, it turns back in, this is guided to point.

Around middle, this one spins back in. Shadab Khan looks to defend, it goes off the inner half on the leg side for one.

Shorter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Around off, kept out.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled wide of deep mid-wicket for two.

Shorter and outside off, this is pulled down to long on for one.

That was a chance! Not an easy one but a chance! Shorter and around off, Babar Azam looks to pull but gets an inside edge. It hits his leg and then lobs towards the keeper who fails to react in time.

Outside off, this is guided to point. Azam wants a run but is sent back in time.

Shorter and outside off, this is hit hard to the left of the cover fielder who dives and stops it.

Outside off, this is pushed past cover for one.

Tossed up on off, Shadab pushes it to covers.

Around off, defended well.

FOUR! Up and over! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled over mid-wicket and it races away.

Around off, kept out.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled down to long on for one.

Around off, kept out.

Tossed up on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

On the shorter side again, this is punched through covers for one.

On middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

Another single as this is swept towards deep square leg.

Shorter and outside off, this is cut past point for one.

Shorter again, this is punched through covers for one more.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed to cover.

Fuller and on off, Azam strokes it through covers for one.

Another single in the cover region.

On middle, kept out.

Two! Outside off, this is hit wide of sweeper cover for two.

Another single as this is punched through covers.

Shortish and on off, this is pushed towards cover.

Three! Fuller and on off, this is driven past mid off for three.

Flatter and on off, blocked.

Around off, defended.

Fifty for Azam! Another good knock from him and he will be eyeing a big one here. His team needs him to bat through as he has a hang of this surface. On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

On off, defended.

Angled into the pads, this is worked towards short fine leg for one.

Around off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

On off, this is kept out.

A single as this is pushed down to long on.

On middle, kept out.

Shorter and around off, this is pushed towards point for one.

On middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

OUT! TAKEN! Nabi gets Saud Shakeel and yet again, just as a partnership was starting to grow, it has been broken! That field change probably was on Saud's mind. The mid-wicket was taken out and there was an extra point fielder after the reverse sweep. Saud Shakeel steps out and looks to whip it over mid-wicket. It goes off the leading edge as it turns away down towards long on. Rashid Khan takes a good catch. Saud walks back after getting a start.

Flatter and on middle, this is pushed back to the bowler.

FOUR! Nicely played! Excellent innovation! Brings out the reverse sweep, just uses the pace and plays it past short third man for a boundary.

An appeal but not given! On middle, Saud steps out but does not get to the pitch of it. He defends.

On middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

Steps out but the length is shortened again, this is worked to square leg.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

Another googly, Saud waits and then guides it towards point for one.

FOUR! Runs starting to come now! Shorter and outside off, Saud Shakeel waits and then guides it towards short third man. The fielder ends up diving over the ball. Boundary.

Floats it up on off, this is eased down to long off for one.

Tossed up on off, Azam plays it to covers.

Around middle, blocked.

Another dot! On middle, this is defended.

Floats it up on off, defended.

Outside off, this is guided past point for one.

On off, kept out.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed wide of cover for one.

FOUR! Up and over! Welcome boundary! This stand is now flourishing. Shorter and on middle, this is pulled over mid-wicket. This one races away to the fence.

On the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Just the one! The googly, Babar Azam goes for the slog sweep but gets a top edge towards mid-wicket. It is taken by the fielder. One.

Another wide as this is bowled down the leg side. HOLD ON! It is a no ball as the siren goes on. Free Hit coming up.

Around off, defended.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Short and down the leg side. Saud Shakeel looks to pull but misses. Wided.

On middle, this is pushed down to long off for one.

Flatter and on off, defended.

On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

On middle, this is swept through mid-wicket for one.

Around off, kept out well.

Angled into the pads, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Quicker and on middle, Saud Shakeel blocks.

Angled into the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Bonus runs! Shorter and down the leg side. Shakeel looks to pull but misses. The keeper fails to take it cleanly. Two taken.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On the shorter side, this is pushed through covers for another one.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed wide of cover for one.

Shorter and outside off, this is slapped down to long off for one.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Outside off, this is swept through square leg for one.

Nabi has gone for only 13 runs in his 6! Brilliant! On middle, Azam works it to mid-wicket.

Another dot as this is worked to mid-wicket.

Floats it up on off, kept out again.

Tossed up on off, defended.

Another single as this is punched through covers.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

On the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

Noor felt it was pad first! Looked close! The leg spinner this time, it lands utside off and spins back in. It did hit both bat and pad but not sure what first.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

On the stumps, kept out.

Outside off, left alone.

Around off, defended.

Shortish again, this is guided past point for one.

Close! Better from Rashid. He needs to be on the stumps and on this length a lot more. He has not been at his best so far. On middle, this one turns back in. Saud looks to defend but it goes off the inside edge towards short fine leg.

Flatter and outside off, Saud Shakeel shapes up to pull but this turns away, it goes to point.

A low full toss, this is wide of long off for one. Saud Shakeel is off the mark.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed to cover.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Brilliant from Noor again! He has bowled with really good control after the first wicket and he looks deadly at the moment. Saud goes back to this googly which lands outside off. He gets an inside edge onto the pads.

A loud appeal but not given! It is reviewed. Impact seems to be outside off! NOT OUT! It indeed is. Not a good review that. This lands outside off and spins back in. Saud Shakeel looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the back pad. Not a good review that. It just never looked out. Noor was pretty much excited but the keeper should have not encouraged the review.

OUT! TAKEN! What a day Noor is having. Back into the side and now has two wickets. He gets the big fish. Rizwan continues to look to sweep him but this time it is slower, it is outside off and it is the googly. There is some extra bounce too. Mohammad Rizwan looks to sweep but it goes off the top edge towards short fine leg. Mujeeb Ur Rahman takes an easy catch. Pakistan in a spot of bother all of a sudden.

Angled into the pads, this is nudged around the corner for one.

Shorter and just outside off, this is chopped towards cover.

On middle, this is swept through square leg for one.

Angled into the pads, Rizwan works it past square leg for one.

SIX! BANG! Off the mark in style! That was in the slog and Rizwan puts it away! He plays the sweep and it sails over the mid-wicket fence.

Shorter and on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed to cover.

On the stumps, kept out again.

Tossed up on off, this is pushed wide of the bowler and down to long off for one.

Another beauty! This lands around off and then spins away. Mohammad Rizwan is beaten again as he tries to defend. Noor is getting into his own here. A really good over. Landed it well and got the reward.

Rizwan is probably not picking Noor! This is floated up outside off, Mohammad Rizwan looks to sweep but misses.

BEATEN! Noor has his tail up here! Bowls a googly, it lands on off and spins away. Mohammad Rizwan looks to defend but is beaten.

An appeal but not given! It is reviewed. Has the ball straightened? OUT! THREE REDS! It has straightened enough! Excellent review. This lands around middle and then spins away. Abdullah Shafique looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pad. A successful review. Abdullah Shafique falls shortly after getting past his half ton again. Another stand which was going along well has been broken.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

On off, this is eased down to long on for one.

Dot to end! On middle, defended well.

Quicker and on middle, kept out.

Shorter and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

On middle, kept out.

FOUR! Off the outside edge! Pakistan won't mind how they come as long as they do! Outside off, flatter, Abdullah Shafique looks to drive but this ges off the outside edge and down to the third man fence.

From around the wicket. This is bowled outside off. Left alone.

Fuller and on middle, this is eased down to long on for one.

Shorter and outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Brings out the sweep and it is played through square leg for one.

Around off, blocked.

On off, kept out.

Single to end as this is pushed down to long off.

On muffle, defended.

WIDE! Well wide outside off, wided.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Around off, kept out.

Tossed up on off, defended.

FOUR! PUNCHED AWAY! Short and wide outside off this is pushed past cover and it races away.

Around off, defended.

Another googly, it lands around middle and spins back in. Abdullah Shafique looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Fifty for Abdullah Shafique! His good form continues! On the pads, this is worked through square leg for a couple.

That is a beauty! This lands around off and then spins away sharply. Abdullah Shafique is beaten as he tries to defend.

Flatter and on middle, defended.

Outside off, this is cut past point for one.

On middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

Yet another one as this is nudged on the leg side.

On the pads, this is nudged around mid-wicket for one.

Outside off, Abdullah Shafique guides it past point for one more.

Short and outside off, Azam slaps it through covers for one.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Yet another dot to end! On middle, blocked.

That is a beauty! This lands around off and then spins away. Abdullah Shafique looks to defend but is beaten. The ball is starting to turn. Signs it is going to be tough to bat on as the game goes on.

Shorter and around off, this is pushed through covers for one.

BEATEN! Flatter and on off, this lands and spins away. Babar Azam is beaten as he tries to defend.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one more.

A single as this is worked down to long on.

Good from Nabi! Watching the batter till the end! Steps out but does not get to the pitch of it, he pushes it back to the bowler.

Another single as this is eased down to long on again.

Shorter and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Yet another single as this is eased down to long on.

On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Flatter and on middle, this is worked to square leg.

This one lands on middle, it seems to be the leg spinner. Defended.

Nicely bowled! Slows it up, lands it outside off and gets it to turn back in a little. Babar Azam looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Flatter this time and around off, Azam defends it.

Fuller and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one.

On the bounce! Shorter and on middle, Azam looks to pull, it goes more off the splice towards long on. One taken.

Tossed up on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Angled into the pads, Azam flicks but finds square leg. Nabi continues to keep it tidy.

Varies his pace well! Slows it up and lands it around off, blocked.

Flatter this time and around off, defended.

Abdullah Shafique steps out but does not get to the pitch of it. He pushes it down to long on for one.

Another easy run as this is worked down to long on.

Shorter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Better! Length and around off, Azam defends. This is where he needs to be bowling.

FOUR! Azmatullah Omarzai is not learning here! He goes short again to Azam. He is pulled off the front foot. This time Azam gets it over mid-wicket and to the fence. Runs continue to flow.

Extra bounce. An effort ball by Azmatullah Omarzai! Outside off, this one takes off after landing. Babar Azam looks to cut but misses.

Two more! Good stuff again! Shorter and around off, this is pushed past cover for a couple. They need to go a touch fuller.

Two more! Can't bowl short on this surface. Azam pulls it through mid-wicket. Rashid runs to his left and keeps it down to two.

On the stumps, Babar Azam looks to guide it down to third man but ends up underedging it to the keeper.

Nabi continues to keep it tight! Flatter and on off, Abdullah Shafique hangs back and defends it back towards the bowler.

A little bit of hold there! On middle, Abdullah Shafique flicks it but to mid-wicket.

Another dot! Flatter and on middle, this is worked to square leg.

Steps out and then works it down to long on for one.

On middle, Azam works it back to the bowler.

Floats it up on off, Azam blocks.

Dot to end a successful over! Shorter and on middle, defended.

Angled into the pads, Azam works it around the corner for one.

Outside off, this is guided down to third man for one.

That is sloppy from Afghanistan! This is shorter and around off, it is pushed towards cover. The fielder has a needless shy at the bowler's end. The fielder backing up does not stop it cleanly and a run is taken.

FOUR! That is glorious! What a shot that is! Shorter and around off, Babar Azam stands tall and punches it through covers. He is impecable through that off side.

OUT! TAKEN! Omarzai is making it a habit to take wickets when needed. Did it against the Kiwis and now here when this stand was going along so nicely. This is short and on middle, Imam will feel a little hard done, he pulls it hard but straight to Naveen who takes a sharp catch. Much-needed wicket.

Good stop! Saves a run for his side. On middle, this is pushed to the right of the bowler who dives and stops it.

Fires it on middle, this is blocked.

Angled into middle, this is worked wide of mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up on middle, this is kept out well.

Shorter and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

Tossed up on off, Abdullah Shafique plays it back to the bowler.

A good bumper on middle, Imam-ul-Haq ducks under it.

A slower one now on middle, Abdullah Shafique works it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

Fuller and on off, Abdullah Shafique times it sweatly to mid off. The new ball for now is coming on nicely.

Outside off, Imam-ul-Haq guides it down to third man for one.

Angled into the pads, Abdullah Shafique works it through square leg and takes one.

Good length and on off, Abdullah Shafique is solid in defense.

Around off, blocked.

Now takes one as this is worked through mid-wicket.

FOUR! Way too full and put away! Runs flowing for Pakistan! This is full again and outside off, Abdullah Shafique leans into it and creams it through covers. No chance of stopping that.

SIX! That is a lovely stroke! Held his shape brilliantly. This is tossed up on off, Abdullah Shafique steps out and gets to the pitch of it. He lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie.

Tossed up on off, blocked.

On middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

Tidy from Mohammad Nabi! On middle, Abdullah Shafique pushes it back to the bowler.

Another one on middle, defended well.

Quicker and on middle, Abdullah Shafique pushes it to mid-wicket.

This is pushed through, it is on off, Abdullah Shafique keeps it out.

Angled into the pads, Imam-ul-Haq works it down towards fine leg for one.

Flatter and on middle, this is defended well.

FOUR! That is a poor delivery! A hit-me ball. Short and down the leg side. Abdullah Shafique pulls it past short fine leg and this one races away. Pakistan are off to a flier here.

Around off, defended.

On middle, this is nudged on the leg side for one.

Overthrow! On middle, shorter, this is pulled down to long on for one. The fielder hits the stumps at the non-striker's end. It deflects away from the fielder backing up. Two taken.

FOUR! Cut away! Way too short and it is punished. This is cut past point and the ball races away to the fence.

Angled into the pads, this is nudged around the corner for one.

A good short one, around off, Imam-ul-Haq evades it.

On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket.

A quick run now! Around off, Abdullah Shafique pushes it towards cover and gets to the other end.

SIX! Over the fence this time! This is banged in short and on middle, it sits up to be hit nicely. Abdullah Shafique rocks back and hammers it over the square leg fence for a biggie. Not a wicket you want to bowl short on.

FOUR! Lovely stroke again! This is full and around off, a half volley, this is timed nicely through covers and it races away to the fence.

On the stumps, Abdullah Shafique is solid in defense.

On the shorter side, this is pushed to the man at cover.

On middle, Imam-ul-Haq walks across and nudges it to mid-wicket again.

Angled into the pads, Imam-ul-Haq works it to mid-wicket.

Angled into the pads, Abdullah Shafique works it through mid-wicket and takes one.

Around off, this is kept out.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On the stumps, defended.

Around off, this is pushed to cover.

FOUR! Up and over! That is a top shot from Abdullah Shafique! This is full and around off, Abdullah Shafique lofts it over the bowler's head and it goes to the fence.

This lands just short! Around middle, Abdullah Shafique looks to flick it but closes this face of the bat early. It goes off a soft leading edge towards mid off. The wicket already seems quite slow.

Around off, Abdullah Shafique defends it.

WIDE! Well wide outside off, left alone.

Fuller and on off, Abdullah Shafique pushes it to mid off.

A single to end! Around middle, this is nudged around the corner for one.

Another one on the pads, Abdullah Shafique misses the flick and gets hit on the pads.

Angled into the pads, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Around middle, Abdullah Shafique is solid in defense.

Another single as this is hit towards mid on.

On middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

FOUR! The last ball spoils the over! On middle, on the pads, this is flicked past the mid-wicket fielder and this one races away to the fence. Good first over for Pakistan.

Good length again and around off, this is pushed to cover.

Another dot! Length and around off, Imam-ul-Haq pushes it to covers.

In the air but wide! Fuller and outside off, Abdullah Shafique carves it uppishly but wide of point and down to third man for one.

Makes the batter play this time, on a length and around off, this is defended.

Starts off with one just outside off, Abdullah Shafique watches it go to the keeper.

Done with the Anthems! It is time for the action to begin. The Pakistan openers, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdul Rahman walk out to the middle. A lot of spinners on show for Afghanistan today so we expect them to open with spin. Let's wait and watch who gets the new ball. It is pace to begin with, Naveen-ul-Haq has the first new ball in hand.

Time for the National Anthems! The players make their way out to the middle. Afghanistan will sing their first and then it will be Pakistan's turn.

Afghanistan (PLAYING XI) - 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.

Pakistan (PLAYING XI) - Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf.

Hashmatullah Shahidi says they wanted to bat first too but the toss is not in their hand. Informs they have one change, Noor Ahmad comes in for Fazalhaq Farooqi! Adds more spin will be better for them.

Babar Azam says the wicket seems a touch dry and hence, they want to bat first. Informs they have one change, Mohammad Nawaz is out and Shadab Khan comes back in. Adds they need to step up in all three departments. Ends by saying they want to give their 100 percent and hope to do well in this game.

TOSS - Pakistan have won the toss and ELECTED TO BAT!

PITCH REPORT - Pommie Mbangwa and Aaron Finch doing the pitch report say the straight boundaries are longer than the short boundaries. Adds there won't be a lot of pace on this surface as there is not a lot of grass. Ends by saying, this could be the slowest pitch.

We are closing in towards the business end of the tournament and each and every game is of high importance now especially for the teams languishing in the lower-half of the table and the two sides, battling it out in this game and in that category. It is Pakistan and Afghanistan. This game is a must-win for both of them. Especially for the likes of Afghanistan who are right at the bottom of the table. They'll need a win if they are to keep their hopes of going through to the next round alive. Pakistan on the other hand, have been a tad disappointing so far in this tournament. However, a win here will see them enter into the top 4. They are surely favourites for this encounter and will be hoping to get back to winning ways. Toss and teams in a bit.

... MATCH DAY ...

We are approaching the halfway point of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and it is now time for match number 22, which sees two Asian rivals, Pakistan and Afghanistan, square off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Babar Azam's Pakistan find themselves fourth in the standings with two wins and two losses from four games, whereas Hashmatullah Shahidi-led Afghanistan are languishing at the bottom with a solitary win from the four games played. Having stunned the reigning champions, England, Afghanistan went up against New Zealand riding high on confidence, but the Kiwis proved too good for the Asian side. While chasing 289 runs for victory, the Afghan batters could never really get going, and in the end, they were bowled out for 139. Afghanistan were pretty ordinary in the field, dropping crucial chances, and they were made to pay for it. If they are to get the better of Pakistan, they will have to pick themselves up with the ball and in the field. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were not able to have the impact expected from them with the new ball and will have to step up in this game. In the middle phase, the experienced duo of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi will have to weave their magic on a surface likely to assist spin. Rahmanullah Gurbaz has stood out with the bat for Afghanistan but has not found much support from the rest of the batters. His opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, is having a lean run in the competition, as is Rahmat Shah. Ikram Alikhil has shown a lot of promise and will be expected to forge partnerships with Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai in the middle order. On the other hand, Pakistan also suffered a defeat in their last outing against Australia. Having conceded back-to-back losses, they will be eager to return to winning ways. Pakistan failed to turn up in the field, which allowed Australia to post a massive total. In their pursuit of 368, the two openers started well, but once this stand was broken, the loss of wickets at crucial intervals meant that they ended up on the losing side. With only one fifty from the last seven innings, Pakistan will need their skipper, Babar Azam, to fire and fire quickly. Mohammad Rizwan continued his brilliant form, while fifties from Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq should give the two openers some much-needed confidence. When it comes to the bowling department, one name that stands out is Shaheen Afridi, whose five-wicket haul in the previous encounter restricted Australia to a lower total. Haris Rauf has been taken to the cleaners, and a senior bowler like him will have to pull his socks up. Playing in place of Shadab Khan, Usama Mir was not able to justify his selection and even dropped David Warner early on. It will be fascinating to see if Usama gets another game or if Shadab is called back into the playing XI. Having never faced an ODI defeat against Afghanistan, Pakistan are the favourites to come out on top. Will they cruise to a victory? Or does Afghanistan have another upset up their sleeves? We will find out together.