Cricbuzzteam, In the 13th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, ENG vs AFG match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This highly anticipated clash comes on the heels of a remarkable turnaround for the defending champions. In their previous match at Dharamsala, England managed to secure their first win of the tournament by defeating Bangladesh.
The victory against Bangladesh was a significant moment for England, considering the rough start they had with a crushing defeat in their opening match. This win has undoubtedly boosted their confidence and rekindled their hopes of retaining the World Cup title.
On the other side of the pitch, Afghanistan has faced two consecutive losses in the tournament so far. Their most recent encounter took place at the same venue in Delhi, where they squared off against India. Unfortunately for Afghanistan, the hosts emerged victorious, winning the match by 8 wickets while chasing down a target of 273 runs.
Looking back at the history between England and Afghanistan, these two teams have crossed paths only twice in the World Cup, during the 2019 and 2015 editions. Notably, this time around, England will be without their former captain, Eoin Morgan. However, they have formidable players like Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, both of whom were among the top run-scorers in the 2019 World Cup match against Afghanistan.
Following their recent defeat by India, the morale of the Afghan bowlers might be at a low ebb. They face a formidable challenge in the English batting lineup, which boasts an array of stars well-versed in the white-ball format. The clash promises to be an exciting spectacle, with England aiming to build on their recent victory and Afghanistan seeking to turn their fortunes around.
England Predicted Playing XI:
Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
key Players:
- Jonny Bairstow: Bairstow is known for his explosive batting at the top of the order. His ability to score quickly and provide solid starts is crucial for England.
- Joe Root: A technically sound batsman, Root’s ability to anchor the innings and rotate the strike effectively is invaluable.
- Jofra Archer: Archer is a lethal fast bowler who can generate pace and bounce. His ability to pick up early wickets and bowl in the death overs makes him a key asset.
- Adil Rashid: The leg-spinner Rashid can be a game-changer with his ability to take crucial wickets in the middle overs and put pressure on the opposition.
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Key Players:
- Rashid Khan: Rashid is a world-class spinner who can deceive batsmen with his variations. His performance with the ball will be critical for Afghanistan.
- Hazratullah Zazai: Zazai is a dynamic opening batsman known for his aggressive strokeplay. If he gets going, he can provide a quick start.
- Naveen-ul-Haq: This young fast bowler has shown promise with his pace and ability to swing the ball early in the innings.
- Asghar Afghan: The experienced middle-order batsman’s stability is essential for Afghanistan’s innings.
ENG vs AFG: Mega Team
ENG vs AFG: H2H Team
ENG vs AFG: Small Team
ENG vs AFG: Pitch and weather conditions
Despite its historical reputation as a challenging batting surface, the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi has shown a different side in this tournament. The pitch has seemed like a belter, offering plenty of runs for both innings. The ball comes onto the bat nicely, indicating that batsmen can expect to enjoy favorable conditions.
However, there’s an interesting twist for the second innings. Under the lights, the ball may exhibit some movement, potentially providing an advantage to the new-ball bowlers. Additionally, skilled bowlers who can master the art of reverse swing could become pivotal during the latter part of the game.
As for the weather, it’s expected to be partly cloudy with a high temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. Players and teams will need to factor in the heat while planning their strategies for the match.
Venue Details:
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is set to host this exciting encounter. Historically, the average 1st innings score at this venue has been around 231 runs. However, considering the recent matches played here, it seems that anything below 300 could be a relatively easy target to chase down.
To stay competitive in the game, the team batting first should aim for a total exceeding 320-330 runs. This indicates the pitch’s evolving nature and the advantage it provides to the chasing side. The venue’s conditions emphasize the importance of posting a formidable total to put pressure on the opposition.
As the match unfolds, teams will need to adapt to the conditions and devise strategies that suit the pitch and weather at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. When making your own prediction, take into account the points mentioned and make an informed decision.