While the on-field rivalry between Pakistan and Afghanistan is still in its infancy, crowd disturbances, edge-of-the-seat finishes, and scuffles between players have already lent it the kind of rhetoric that perhaps better describes events in a bullring than in a cricket stadium. The ICC 2023 World Cup match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday is a good chance to see if the on-field action has retained a similar needle.
Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi can pose a challenge to Pakistan’s unstable middle order if it find its rhythm.
The way skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi deploys Rashid will also influence the result. In a match against India, Rashid came in when India was 125-0 in 14 overs, which seemed an odd decision. However, against England, he entered the game when the Three Lions were 82 for three off 16 overs, precisely where he excels.
