South Africa will take on Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series on 18th September in Sharjah Cricket Ground. This series promises entertainment and loads of great cricket.
Match preview:
Two semi-finalist of the T20 World Cup 2024 are ready to clash in an exciting three-match ODI series at Sharjah. It will be the first-ever ODI bilateral series between the two nations.
Talking about Afghanistan, they have played some great white-ball cricket in recent past particularly in the ODI World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup 2024. In ODI wc, they ended up beating the reigning champions England and Pakistan for the very first time in the history of the ODIS.
The Sharjah ground may be a second home to Afghanistan, but the side will be without Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb-ur-Rehman. Zadran is recovering from an ankle sprain and Mujeeb is ruled out due to a right phalanx sprain.
But the good news is Rashid Khan is back in the side who was not part of the ODI series against Ireland due to the injury.
Top-order batter Abdul Malik who has an impressive Lis A record has been named as a replacement of Zadran while Darwish Rasooli who has played seven T20is thus far, has been added to the squad as well.
Talking about South Africa this series will be their first ever ODI series of the ongoing year as before the side was involved in Test and ODI cricket. Temba Bavuma will lead the side. Jason Smith and Nqaba Peter have earned their maiden ODI call-up for the series although the duo has played T20is before. Andile Simelane has also received his maiden call-up for the international side.
Lungi Ngidi has recovered from a right calf injury and is fully available for the up-coming three-match ODI series.
Probable Playing XI
Afghanistan:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), IA Khil, Darwish Rasooli, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, N Zadran, Allah Mohammad
South Africa:
K Verreynne (wk), T Bavuma (C), T de Zorzi, T Stubbs, RR Hendricks, AL Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, AK Markram, N Burger, L Ngidi, OEG Baartman
Pitch and weather report:
The pitch of Sharjah cricket ground is easy to bat on and the average score has been 270 on this pitch. However, the pitch also tends to support spinners as compared to the pacers. For the pacers, they should look to bowl more cutters and slow-balls rather than seam-up deliveries.
Talking about the weather, it will be a clear sky, and the fans can enjoy a fantastic ODI clash between the two sides.
Head-to-head record:
Both teams have only played two ODIs so far that too in the ODI World Cups. As of now, South Africa leads the tally by 2-0 but this time Afghanistan will look forward to utilizing Sharjah ground aptly to create history and honestly anything can happen.
Predictions:
Although Afghanistan can be a formidable force, South Africa is favorite to win this upcoming match of the three-match ODI series.
Where to watch:
Pakistan: Tapmad
India: FanCode app
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Hong Kong: STYX Sports
UAE: Cricbuzz live streaming
Canada, USA, and the rest of Asia: Willow TV
UK: Sky Sports
