Match: Practice Match (Day/Night)
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM Local (8:00 PM PKT)
Venue: West End Park International Cricket Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Series: Afghanistan tour of Qatar 2025
Status: Match yet to begin
Important Update on Match Status
According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board, this series features Afghanistan’s A team (Afghan Abdalyan) playing practice matches against Qatar. These games are preparation for the upcoming Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, which begins later in November. Earlier confusion surrounded whether these would be official T20Is, but they are now confirmed as practice fixtures.
(Source: Afghanistan Cricket Board official statement, Wisden)
Expected/Likely Playing XIs
Qatar (Likely XI)
Based on squad announcements
- Muhammad Ikramullah
- Zubair Ali
- Muhammad Asim
- Mirza Mohammed Baig
- Daniel Archer
- Imal Liyanage (WK)
- Saqlain Arshad
- Amir Farooq
- Muhammad Murad
- Arif Nasir Uddin
- Owais Ahmed
Captain: Mohammed Rizlan (likely)
Afghanistan A Team (Likely XI)
Specific lineup not yet confirmed
Likely to feature players from this squad:
- Darwish Rasooli
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Fareed Ahmad
- Abdollah Ahmadzai
Note: Final playing XIs not officially announced. Lists based on squad announcements from ESPNcricinfo and official team releases.
(Sources: Outlook India, Cricket Times, ESPNcricinfo)
Venue & Pitch Report
West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha is hosting all three practice matches. The stadium has balanced conditions, with 13 previous matches showing a slight bowling advantage. Teams batting first have won 7 matches, while teams chasing won 6 games. The average score here is around 122 runs.
Weather Forecast: Pleasant evening conditions expected with temperatures around 26°C. Low humidity and clear skies make it perfect for cricket. No rain expected.
(Source: Possible11 venue data)
Players to Watch
| Batsmen | Team | Recent Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad Asim | Qatar | 237 runs in 10 matches, avg 29.63 | Qatar’s most reliable batter |
| Mirza Mohammed Baig | Qatar | 216 runs, avg 43.2 | All-rounder, key player |
| Sediqullah Atal | Afghanistan A | 233 runs in 10 matches | Explosive top-order option |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan A | Strong wicketkeeper-batter | Dangerous if included |
| Bowlers | Team | Recent Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirza Mohammed Baig | Qatar | 21 wickets in 9 matches | All-rounder threat |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan A | World-class leg-spinner | If selected, game-changer |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan A | Quality off-spinner | Likely to feature |
| Owais Ahmed | Qatar | Local bowling option | Home advantage |
(Stats compiled from ESPNcricinfo recent performance data)
What to Expect
This practice match gives Qatar valuable experience against higher-ranked opposition. While Afghanistan are sending their A team rather than the full senior squad, they still possess quality players who can dominate.
Afghanistan A Strengths: Even their second-string team features international-quality spinners and explosive batsmen. Their recent 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe shows their T20 strength.
Qatar’s Challenge: Ranked 29th in T20Is, Qatar are hosting a full ICC member nation for the first time. Playing at home gives them confidence, but the skill gap remains significant.
Match Prediction: Afghanistan A are heavy favorites given their superior experience and talent pool. However, T20 cricket can produce surprises, and Qatar will fight hard on home soil.
Series Context
This is the second of three practice matches. The first match on November 8 faced delays and confusion over the series status. The final practice game is scheduled for November 11. All matches serve as preparation for Afghanistan A ahead of the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025, which Qatar will host starting November 14.
Disclaimer: Playing XIs are based on squad announcements and have not been officially confirmed. Check official team channels closer to match time for final lineups.