Pakistan, Afghanistan face-off in Sharjah clash
First ever T20 between the neighbours to be played today.
Afghanistan's cricketer Dawlat Zadran (C) celebrates with his teammates after dismissing Pakistan's Asad Shafiq (unseen) during the first One Day International (ODI) match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on February 10, 2012. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Afghanistan will be hoping to stand tall to Pakistan’s bowling attack as they face off an experienced Twenty20 international team in Sharjah.
The Afghan team succeeded in qualifying for the World Cup Twenty20 scheduled to take place in Bangladesh next March and the game against Pakistan will be seen as an opportunity to assess the depth of their squad against a world class opposition.
This is the first clash in the shortest format between the two neighbours, who played a One-Day International at the same venue last year.
Pakistan is likely to include hard hitting left-handed opening batsman Sharjeel Khan, the Hyderabad player who has been a revelation this season.
Captain Mohammad Hafeez is keen on giving his team a proper run before the world event and thus the Afghanistan night match will be an ideal opportunity.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 8th, 2013.