Afghanistan vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup - Azam to take charge of Pakistan’s destiny

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 27 Jun 2019

Ralph Staniforth 27 Jun 2019

Share this article

Low scoring match tipped for Headingley

Expired

Pakistan are heavy favourites to beat Afghanistan and keep their semi final hopes alive (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup Preview, Predictions, Betting Tips & Live Stream

Pakistan will be desperate for a win when they take on Afghanistan in a crucial 2019 Cricket World Cup match at Headingley. Babar Azam has been Pakistan’s star batsman and he is tipped to score over 38.5 runs and convert it into a score of 50+ runs at 2.20.

Headingley saw 440 runs in its only World Cup match thus far so I feel confident that the match will have under 510.5 runs.

Afghanistan Form & Team News

Afghanistan have been much improved in their last three outings despite not picking up a victory. They are unlikely to pick up one this time around either, but for those who know Pakistan, anything can happen.

There was real hope that Afghanistan could pull off a victory against Bangladesh and at times it looked like it may be on. Unfortunately the lack of experience let them down with both bat and ball as they fell 62 runs short.

For the second game in a row the 18-year-old Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowled superbly and took 3-39 as Afghanistan restricted their far more illustrious opponents to 262 runs.

Afghanistan can be backed to cause an upset at 5.00 but it would be going against the grain considering the form Pakistan find themselves in. Having a look at the total match runs is a better option with the bookies giving a favourable 510.5 runs.

I am backing the match to go below the 510.5 run mark at 1.90 considering Headingley only saw 440 runs when England played Sri Lanka in the only World Cup game at the ground thus far. Afghanistan has also failed to score more than 213 runs in a match at the World Cup.

Pakistan Form & Team News

Pakistan have produced a complete 360 turn in their last two games to put themselves right back in the hunt for the playoffs. Victory over South Africa was followed by a 6 wicket success over previously unbeaten New Zealand.

Another superb bowling effort from Pakistan restricted the Black Caps to 237 runs. Pakistan chased down the target with five balls to spare as Babar Azam top scored with 101 runs and Haris Sohail scored 68 runs.

Babar Azam has been the glue behind Pakistan’s batting during the World Cup, there is value in him to surpass the 38.5 run mark for the fifth game running at 1.90.

Naturally Pakistan are heavy favourites at 1.16 but Babar Azam has been reliable throughout and scoring 50+ runs at 2.20 seems money well placed.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan Head to Head

Pakistan have won all three previous ODI meetings against Afghanistan.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan Live Stream

Live streaming the Afghanistan vs Pakistan Cricket World Cup match on bet365 is a useful way of keeping up with all the action on your iPhone, iPad, Android device or computer. Please see terms and conditions at bet365.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan Match Up

Afghanistan’s spinners have really come into their own over the last few games and troubled both India and Bangladesh. Pakistan are another sub-continent side which Afghanistan will fancy themselves against.

Pakistan’s bowling unit has been exceptional and has kept them in the race of a playoff spot. Mohammad Amir may be licking his lips at the prospect of wickets against a struggling Afghanistan batting unit.