Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan won the toss and opted to bat in their Asia Cup Super Four match against Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday.
Afghanistan, who are looking to build on their upset wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the first round, brought in big-hitting batsman Najibullah Zadran for Samiullah Shenwari.
Pakistan brought in Haris Sohail, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz after losing to India by eight wickets on Wednesday, leaving out Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf.
Shaheen is making his one-day international debut.
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In the group stage at the Asia Cup 2018, Pakistan opened their campaign by defeating Hong Kong. Pakistan were routed by India in the next group game.
The atmosphere was electric and the players charged up, but the big battle — despite the result pleasing a majority of spectators in the stands — between India and Pakistan turned out to be a lop-sided affair, just like their last meeting in the Champions Trophy final in 2017.
Afghanistan won both their group games against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Afghanistan knocked five-time champions Sri Lanka out of the Asia Cup with a 91-run win, the result reflecting the rise of the cricketers from the strife-torn nation and the fall of the once all-conquering islanders.
