In a riveting clash at Wankhede, Afghanistan found themselves on the verge of a historic win against Australia, only to witness a remarkable turnaround courtesy of Glenn Maxwell’s heroics and a couple of critical dropped catches in the field. The defeat, although disheartening, offers valuable lessons for Shahidi’s men as they gear up to face another formidable opponent in their last must-win match at Ahmedabad.
The upcoming battle against South Africa promises to be an intense showdown. The Proteas have showcased their batting prowess in this World Cup, with key players such as Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram displaying exceptional form. However, South Africa shares a common struggle with their opponents, faltering in run chases, as witnessed in their recent match against India where they were dismissed for a mere 83 while chasing 327 runs.
Afghanistan, looking to capitalize on their strength in setting totals, aims to put South Africa on the back foot by batting first and focusing on a more clinical fielding performance to secure victory even with the ball in hand.
South Africa Preview
South Africa, though already qualified for the semis, seeks to refine their chase execution. The defeat against India highlighted their vulnerability in chasing high totals. Their middle-order, including key players like van der Dussen and Markram, will be eager to bounce back against Afghanistan’s potent bowling attack.
Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, along with pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, pose a threat to Afghanistan’s batting line-up, and South Africa will rely on their expertise to create breakthroughs.
Predicted Playing XI for South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Aiden Markram
- Heinrich Klaasen
- David Miller
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan, despite a near-win against Australia, faced setbacks due to dropped catches that eventually allowed Maxwell to steal the game. Their batting, marked by maturity and impressive pacing, presents a formidable challenge for the Proteas. The likes of Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Azmatullah Omarzai have showcased consistent performances.
However, the Afghan side needs to focus on strategizing their bowling, led by senior players Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan, to counter South Africa’s powerful batting line-up. Facing their toughest challenge of the World Cup, Afghanistan must elevate their performance in the field to match their promising overall squad.
Predicted Playing XI for Afghanistan:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Ikram Alikhil (wk)
- Rashid Khan
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Naveen-ul-Haq
South Africa in ODI Cricket
South Africa boasts a rich history in One Day International (ODI) cricket, having participated in a total of 667 matches. Their impressive record showcases 408 victories, while they’ve faced defeat in 232 encounters. The team has also encountered 21 no results and managed to secure a draw in 6 matches.
Afghanistan in ODI Cricket
Afghanistan, a rising force in international cricket, has competed in 160 ODI matches. Their journey has witnessed 77 wins, emphasizing their growing prowess in the format. However, they have also experienced 78 defeats and 4 no results, with a solitary tied match in their ODI history.
Head-to-Head Clash
The history between South Africa and Afghanistan in ODIs marks just one encounter. In this solitary meeting, South Africa emerged victorious, with Afghanistan yet to secure a win against their formidable opponents. The teams have not encountered any no-result matches in their head-to-head ODI clashes.
Weather and Pitch Analysis
The pitch in Ahmedabad has traditionally offered a bit of assistance to spinners, although in IPL matches, it has favored batsmen in the early stages, especially during the powerplay. The pitch will likely favor batsmen initially, allowing for aggressive stroke play, before potentially slowing down and offering an advantage to spin bowlers as the game progresses.
Venue Details and Expected Scores
The Narendra Modi Stadium has historically witnessed an average first innings score of 237 runs in ODIs. However, both teams have showcased exceptional form, suggesting the potential for scores well beyond 275 runs, particularly if they opt to bat first. South Africa, in particular, will be eyeing a substantial total given their prowess in setting high scores at this venue.
South Africa holds the record for the highest score at this stadium, amassing a formidable 365/2 against India. Considering the chasing record at this ground stands at 325 runs, a competitive first innings total in the range of 280-320 runs is anticipated.
Toss Decision: Likely to Bat First
Despite the recent trend where teams bowling first secured victories in two out of three matches at this venue in the tournament, statistics favor the advantage of teams batting first. The sheer size of the ground presents a challenge for clearing boundaries. Given this, South Africa, recognizing their strengths, may opt to bat first upon winning the toss.
RSA vs AFG: Winning Prediction
The match promises an intense battle between two sides seeking redemption. South Africa, reeling from a defeat against India, faces Afghanistan, determined to bounce back after a challenging loss to Australia. Both teams boast talented players across all departments, setting the stage for a spectacular display of batting and bowling skills.
However, South Africa’s clinical performances and overall superiority make them the favorites for this crucial match. Their consistent display in the tournament positions them as a formidable force, likely to secure victory in this pivotal encounter.
Today’s Match Prediction: South Africa
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