Start time: 1030, 29/06/2019
Venue: Headingley
TV: Sky Sports
Pakistan are still very much in the hunt for a place in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals and can enhance their prospects by brushing aside Afghanistan in Leeds.
The Falcons are coming off wins over South Africa and New Zealand and now face opponents who have suffered seven straight defeats at this tournament.
Babar Azam did us a favour when hitting a century versus the Kiwis and 11/4 for him to top score for his side again is our initial Pakistan vs Afghanistan prediction.
A Look At Pakistan’s Betting Odds
Babar masterminded a crucial six-wicket win over New Zealand, who tasted defeat for the first time in that tense Edgbaston battle.
Shaheen Afridi starred with three for 28 as the Black Caps were restricted to 237 for six, before Babar fought hard for his unbeaten 101 to help secure victory with five balls to spare.
“Everybody contributed a lot and we are very focused on this,” said Babar. “We are confident of taking it match by match and hopefully we will qualify.”
Afridi, meanwhile, also impressed with two for 38 when Pakistan beat Afghanistan by three wickets in Abu Dhabi last September.
Looking at the Pakistan vs Afghanistan odds, he is 7/2 to be the Falcons’ top bowler again at Headingley.
A Look At Afghanistan’s Betting Odds
Afghanistan gave India a big scare last weekend, but failed to build on that performance when losing by 62 runs to Bangladesh on Monday.
Captain Gulbadin Naib was criticised for bowling first on a tricky pitch, but he slammed some sloppy fielding that allowed Bangladesh to get to 262 for seven.
Gulbadin said: “I’m happy with the toss, but if you look at the match, we missed a couple of catches and gave some extra runs.
“We gave away 30, 35 runs. Because of mis-fielding, we missed the opportunity again.”
Hashmatullah Shahidi could only manage 11 in that contest but has been Afghanistan’s best batsman, with a tally of 197 runs featuring 76 versus England and 59 against New Zealand.
The 24-year-old also hit 97 not out in last September’s clash with the Men in Green, so 7/2 he top scores for his side is added to our Pakistan vs Afghanistan betting tips.
