Pakistan and Afghanistan will square off for the first time in a bilateral T20 international (T20I) series with the 1st of the three scheduled matches tonight.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was initially set to host Australia before Cricket Australia decided to cancel the tour with Pakistan stepping in as a replacement.
Here is all you need to know ahead of the monumental occasion.
Pakistan vs Afghanistan T20I head-to-head:
Interestingly Pakistan and Afghanistan have only squared off three times in international T20 games with two occasions being the T20 World Cup and the last year’s Asia Cup.
Pakistan has won all three contests for a 100% win record.
When and where will the match take place?:
Sharjah Cricket Stadium will hold the contest at 9:00 PM (PKT).
The matches were likely pushed back to give players time to fast in Ramadan with ease.
Form:
Pakistan will be playing their first T20 international game since losing the world cup final to England. Despite the break, they have won 4 of their last 5 matches which should give them confidence heading into the contest even with a newer-looking squad.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, recently triumphed over UAE in a three-match series but has won just two of their last five games. But with an experienced squad, they can spring a surprise on the Green Shirts.
Expected Pakistan lineup against Afghanistan for 1st T20I:
Pakistan is likely to reward players for their performances during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League season 8.
Saim Ayub, Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan are likely to be a part of the starting XI. Here is how the team could look.
Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Abdullah Shafique, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan (C), Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Ihsanullah, Zaman Khan, Naseem Shah.
