The UAE vs AFG first T20I will be played in Sharjah on December 29, Friday. Sharjah hosts all three T20I matches between the two teams. Afghanistan have played some top-quality cricket throughout this year. Their performances in the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup showed a marked improvement in their cricket in the last 12-15 months.
Afghanistan’s ODI World Cup performance propelled them to qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025. They have also secured qualification for the T20 World Cup 2024. They are placed 10th on the ICC T20I rankings heading into this series. Hasmtullah Shahidi will lead the side with all their experienced players available for the series.
Meanwhile, in a major development, Naveen-ul Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, and Fazalhaq Farooqi were not issued the NOC after they expressed their unwillingness to extend their central contracts. The Afghanistan Cricket Board then sanctioned their NOCs for the next two years and revoked the NOCs of all other players with immediate effect.
The board was very strict with their players following the guidelines and prioritizing international cricket over personal commitments. This in turn means that the above-mentioned players are now doubtful for IPL 2024. LSG and SRH retained Naveen and Farooqi respectively while KKR bought Mudeeb at the IPL 2024 auction.
Given the increasing demand for Afghanistan players across T20 leagues, this is a major step taken by the ACB where “ACB will consider and decide their participation in events when needed,” said the statement from the board officials.
Afghanistan are slated to play a three-match T20I series against India next year in January and hence this UAE vs AFG series serves up as the perfect dress rehearsal for the Asian side.
UAE, on the other hand, did not have a good year in international cricket in 2023. They did not qualify for the T20 World Cup last year. At the start of the year, they lost to Afghanistan2-1. They played a series against New Zealand and lost that 2-1 as well. They won the Tr-Nation series in Nepal but failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup as they had a bad outing in the tournament.
With teams like PNG, Oman, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Uganda, and Netherlands qualifying for the tournament UAE not making it was a major blow to the country’s cricketing future. UAE does not play against tougher opponents regularly which is another reason why their cricket is not developing over time.
Recent Venue Records (McLean Park, Napier)
STATS – T20
Total matches 42
Matches won batting first 23
Matches won bowling first 19
Average 1st Inns scores 142
Average 2nd Inns scores 119
Highest total recorded 215/6 (20 Ov) by AFG vs ZIM
Lowest total recorded 38/10 (10.4 Ov) by HK vs PAK
Highest score chased 179/6 (19.1 Ov) by SL vs AFG
Lowest score defended 142/7 (20 Ov) by WI vs BAN
Who Will Score Most Runs For UAE: Mumahhad Waseem / Basil Hameed
Who Will Take Most Wickets For UAE: Ayan Khan / Junaid Siddiqui
Who Will Score Most Runs For Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz / Ibrahim Zadran
Who Will Take Most Wickets For Afghanistan: Rashid Khan / Noor Ahmad
UAE vs AFG Today Match Prediction- 1st T20I, Who Will Win Today’s T20I Match? 2023
Afghanistan have won seven of the nine T20Is played against UAE. They have a far more experienced side and are expected to clean-sweep the Arab side.
Also Read: UAE vs AFG Head-to-Head Records in T20Is- 1st T20I, 2023
The post UAE vs AFG Today Match Prediction- 1st T20I, Who Will Win Today’s T20I Match? 2023 appeared first on CricketAddictor.
The UAE vs AFG first T20I will be played in Sharjah on December 29, Friday. Sharjah hosts all three T20I matches between the two teams. Afghanistan have played some top-quality cricket throughout this year. Their performances in the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup showed a marked improvement in their cricket in the last
The post UAE vs AFG Today Match Prediction- 1st T20I, Who Will Win Today’s T20I Match? 2023 appeared first on CricketAddictor.
