MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for PAK vs AFG ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 22

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MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will stage it's fourth match of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Monday (October 23) when Asian rivals will look to rebound from defeats when Pakistan face Afghanistan in match 22 of the show-piece tournament.

Babar Azam-led Pakistan come into the match on the back of a thumping loss to Australia in a batting friendly wicket in Bengaluru, while Hashmatullah Shahidi's Afghanistan are fresh from a massive loss to New Zealand in the Chennai venue, which saw the bowlers find some joy.

The three 2023 World Cup matches at the venue in Chennai have seen mixed results so far, but two of the three have favoured the teams chasing except for the most recent one in which Afghanistan folded for 149 in their run chase of 289.

The first match at the venue saw spin come into play in the afternoon, while the other two has seen the quicks find some joy both in the noon and under lights. Even in the first match, there was something in the wicket for the pacers with the new ball under lights.

A similar kind of surface could be waiting for Monday's match, and if the track offers anything for the spinners, Afghanistan could create some trouble, but if Pakistan get some runs on the board, then their quicks are likely to create some havoc under lights.

The venue has been very well known for slow nature of wickets. And the heat is going to be massive during the afternoon. So, how will the pitch conditions be for PAK vs AFG clash in Chennai?

All the three matches also were played without any interruption or delay due to weather or any other conditions. But several parts of India have witnessed rain over the last few days. So, will rain have an impact? Will dew be a factor in the match?

With some parts of India witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, here is a look at the Chennai weather forecast and the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch report for PAK vs AFG 22nd ICC World Cup match:

Chennai Weather Forecast on October 23

There is no threat of rain in Chennai on Monday (October 23) or in the lead up to match. It is expected to be a day for hazy sunshine with a maximum temperature of 34° C in the noon, reducing to 29° C during the closing stages, but it's going to be extremely humid in the evening.

With no rain recently, there is chance of dew setting in during the later stages of the second innings, but that may be overcome by the anti-dew chemicals sprayed on the outfield by the Chepauk Stadium groundstaff. But, how is the Chennai wicket going to play?

MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch report for PAK vs AFG World Cup match

The wickets at the Chepauk are known to be on the slower side, providing assistance to slower bowlers or spinner as the match progresses. The games so far in the tournament have also seen slower bowlers find some rewards when bowling in the afternoon.

With clay and red soil being used in the pitches at the Chepauk, spin will definitely play a role even in the PAK vs AFG match. The quicks also will find some bounce.

As per reports, it's the same wicket that was used for India vs Australia match that will be used on Monday (October 23). So, it's Afghanistan that will hold the advantage over Pakistan, who will depend on their pace battery for wickets with the new ball.

The average first innings score at the venue in 234 with only a handful of games seeing totals cross above 300. In the 26 ODIs at the venue, the team batting first have had the edge with 15 wins, while teams chasing have won 10 times, including the two matches in 2023 CWC.

The previous history suggests that the team batting first have won the most ODIs in Chennai. So, Pakistan may stick to their strength of adding runs on the board than to come under pressure from the Afghanistan spinners in a run chase.