 The first ODI between Afghanistan and Canada will be played on August 7
at the King City in Toronto, Canada. Despite playing away from home, there
isn't too much doubt that Afghanistan will go into the game as favourites, after
having crushed the Canadians in the four-day Intercontinental game between the
two at the same venue.
By the time the stumps were drawn on the third of the four day-match, the Afghanistan
side had taken full control of the game and apart from some inclement weather
or a miracle, should win the match. First, they batted well enough to score 293
in their first innings in conditions which were suited to pace bowling and then,
went on to bowl Canada out for 130.
Click for Live Score Card of Canada v Afghanistan
The home team had to follow on and batted only marginally better than in the first
innings, to slump to 176 for seven when the stumps were drawn on the third day.
Already the game has lost one full day because of rain and the tourists will be
hoping that there is no more rain on the final day of the Test match to allow
them to garner full points out of the match.
When Afghanistan batted, Samiullah Shenwari and Mohammad Shahzad were
the two who were able to get going to their respective half-centuries. Along
with them, Mohammad Nabi will be the player to watch out for as they take on
Canada in the first ODI. Mirwais Ashraf, who takes the new ball for the
tourists, also scored 48 down the order, which shows the kind of depth that
the Afghanistan side has in their team.
Hamid Hasan and Mohammad Nabi have been the stars of the bowling show. Hasan grabbed
seven wickets in the first innings against Canada and has followed it up with
three more in the second innings to already have 10 for the match. Nabi, on the
other hand, has three wickets in the first innings and continues to garner wickets
as he has always done.
On the other hand, Canada will look to overturn their form from the World Cup
2011. They had a poor tournament and continue to do so, with this game. Only
Zeeshan Siddiqui made a half-century in the first innings, with none
of the rest even getting to 20. Hamza Tariq did much better in the second
innings and will look to get something going in the first ODI.
Afghanistan will be favourites to go 1-0 up in the series.
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