Preparation for World Cup 2019, Pakistan takes on Afghanistan today

Pakistan would begin its preparations for the World Cup 2019, as it takes on Afghanistan I their first warm-up match today (Friday) at Bristol County Ground.

The ODI series against England may not have given the Men in Green victories, as the visitors lost 4-0, however, it has indeed allowed the team to get used to the English conditions, which can play an important role against the rising Afghanistan side.

Pakistan made massive changes in their playing 15, after they picked bowling spearhead Mohammad Amir and fast bowler Wahab Riaz in the World Cup 15, the duo were selected in place of Junaid Khan and Faheem Ashraf, respectively.

The decision was taken in light of dismal bowling performance by Sarfraz’s men against England, however, the arrival of the two bowling veterans has boosted the otherwise inexperienced bowling attack.

The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 Pakistan Standard Time.

Squads:

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w/c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Asif Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Sohail

Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib(c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan