Match Details
The 6th match of the Afghan One-Day Cup will be played between Balkh Province and Khost Province at the Khost Cricket ground.
This match is scheduled to start at 09:00 AM Local Time (10:00 AM IST) (04:30 AM UTC).
Preview
Khost Province will host the Balkh Province at the Khost Cricket Ground in what will be the second match for both teams in this competition. Both sides got off to contrasting starts in the Afghan One-Day Cup. Khost Province crushed Helmand Province by 9 wickets in their first match.
On the other side, Balkh Province lost to Kabul Province by 5 wickets. While Balkh Province will try to open their campaign on the standings, it will be extremely tough for them to down Khost Province. The main reason behind it is that the home side had bowled out Helmand Province for just 57 runs in their first fixture.
Weather Report
There is a 40 per cent chance of rain in Khost on Saturday morning. The temperature will stay around 26 degrees Celsius.
Pitch Report
The wicket at the Khost Cricket Ground has been good for batting. In the second game played at this venue, Nangarhar Province managed to score 270 runs in the first innings. However, the fans may not get a high-scoring contest here if Khost Province bowl first again.
Average 1st innings score: 164 (First two matches considered)
Record of Chasing Teams: Won: 1, Lost: 1
Injury & Availability News
(Will be added when there’s an update)
Probable Playing XIs
Balkh Province
Assadullah Matani (c), Zafar Khan, Ehsan Mandozai, Kamil, Abdul Malik, Farhan Zakhel, Mohammad Ibrahim (wk), Jamshed, Abdul Sattar, Azim Khan, Mohammad Hassan, Suleiman Arabzai, Mohammad Haleem, Abdul Razaq, Wasim Mandozai
Bench: Khair Mohammad, Ahmadullahm, Sami Salarzai
Khost Province
Shahid Kamal (c), Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Rahim Mangal, Sadam Mangal, Mohammadullah, Bakhtarullah Atal, Haseebullah, Shaheen (wk), Naveed Obaid, Hashim Khalil Gurbaz, Noor Ahmad.
Bench: Ehsan Mangal, Nemat, Rahmanullah Zadran, Mohammad Naseem.
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Bakhtarullah Atal bowled a terrific spell in the first match against Helmand Province. He knows how to adapt to the conditions and his 4/23 in the first game highlighted how gifted he is.
Rahim Mangal opens the innings for the home team. He played a decent knock of 25 runs against Helmand in the team’s opening encounter. He can be backed to come off good in this match.
Abdullah Mazari was the star with the ball for Balkh Province in the match against Kabul Province. He was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/15 in 6 overs. Mazari will be the player to look out for from Balkh Province.
Captain and Vice-Captain Options
Captain Options: Bakhtarullah Atal, Abdullah Mazari
Vice-Captain Options: Rahim Mangal, Zafar Khan
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Shaheen
Batsmen – Zafar Khan (vc), Farhan Zakhel, Naveed Obaid, Rahim Mangal
All-Rounders – Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Jamshed, Abdullah Mazari (c)
Bowlers – Mohammad Hassan, Noor Ahmad, Bakhtarullah Atal
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Shaheen
Batsmen – Zafar Khan, Abdul Malik, Naveed Obaid, Rahim Mangal (vc)
All-Rounders – Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Asadullah Matani, Shahid Kamal
Bowlers – Mohammad Hassan, Haseeb Ullah, Bakhtarullah Atal (c)
Expert Advice
Zafar Khan was batting well in the first match, where he scored a 24-ball 29. If his Balkh Province partners support him in the upcoming match, Zafar could play a big knock. It is advisable to pick him in the team.
Probable Winners
Khost Province is expected to win this match.