Afghanistan look to complete sturdy in opposition to South Africa

Big image: Batting would possibly vs bowling smarts

Afghanistan have been so near reaching their most vital ODI win. Against Australia. For a shot on the World Cup semi-finals. Almost there. Before a Glenn Maxwell-sized meteorflattened them.

They are actually in Ahmedabad to play their remaining league recreation and can bow out of the World Cup on the largest cricket stadium on the planet. Having solely ever overwhelmed Scotland as soon as in 2015 and 2019, Afghanistan have overwhelmed three former champions – England, Sri Lanka and Pakistan – this time, in addition to Netherlands, however the 438-run victory they want in opposition to South Africa to push New Zealand out of fourth place on internet run fee is unimaginable. An exit with ten factors, as many because the crew that qualifies fourth, nevertheless, will likely be an enormous win in itself.

Afghanistan have solely performed one ODI and two T20Is in opposition to South Africa and by no means received. But that was previous Afghanistan. The Afghanistan of the 2023 World Cup have excelled as a unit. Each of their high 5 batters have 250-plus runs within the event. In the bowling division, it isn’t the same old suspects doing the injury. Yes, Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s main wicket-taker, however he hasn’t at all times been constant. And whereas Mujeeb Ur Rahman has solely seven in eight video games, the likes of Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq have all been among the many wickets.

As far as South Africa go, with their semi-final spot already safe, this fixture is a pressure-free alternative to choose themselves up after the beating they suffered in opposition to India in Kolkata by India. After that 243-run drubbing David Miller didn’t really feel South Africa have been “horrific chasing”, but it surely’s no secret they’ve been far more profitable batting first than second in ODIs this yr.

Eventually, the result’s prone to hinge on how Afghanistan’s bowlers fare in opposition to South Africa’s batting would possibly. Afghanistan and India are the one groups to haven’t conceded 300 even as soon as this World Cup. South Africa have scored 5 totals in extra of 300, the best being 428 in opposition to Sri Lanka. Do Afghanistan have it in them to include South Africa?

Form Guide

Afghanistan LWWWL (Last 5 accomplished ODIs; most up-to-date first)
South Africa LWWWW

In the highlight: Ibrahim Zadran and Marco Jansen

The present top-scorer for Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran was their first centurion on the World Cup, of their earlier recreation in opposition to Australia. The opener averages 57.5 in opposition to quick bowlers within the competitors and the best way he tackles the South Africa quicks will likely be essential. Ibrahim has had a high begin to his ODI profession. He has solely performed 27 ODIs however is already second on the record of most centuries for Afghanistan. A sixth will take him degree with Mohammad Shahzad.

Marco Jansen had a uncommon dangerous day in opposition to India, when he went for 94 runs in 9.4 overs and could not do a lot with the bat. Having had a stellar run within the World Cup, he will likely be eager to point out his bouncebackability. Jansen is in third place for essentially the most wickets within the competitors (17) and it is his powerplay bowling that has actually stood out: 12 wickets in eight innings – greater than some other bowler within the event. Not to overlook his batting decrease down the order, the place he is struck at 111.34. After an bizarre outing at Eden Gardens, Jansen will wish to return to his match-winning methods.

Team news: Phehlukwayo to get a recreation?

Depending on the Ahmedabad pitch, Afghanistan would possibly deliver again Farooqi for both Noor or Mujeeb. The remainder of their taking part in XI is unlikely to alter.

Afghanistan (possible): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Fazalhaq Farooqi, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Noor Ahmad

Lungi Ngidi didn’t full his ten overs in opposition to India, strolling off two balls into his ninth. While he did come out to bat later and is said match for the sport, South Africa may relaxation both him or Kagiso Rabada, with Andile Phehlukwayo coming in for his first recreation. Tazbraiz Shamsi may additionally make method for quick bowler Gerald Coetzee.

South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Temba Bavuma (capt), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Lungi Ngidi/Andile Phehlukwayo, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi/Gerald Coetzee

Pitch and circumstances

Ahmedabad hasn’t had extraordinarily excessive totals to this point within the World Cup – no crew has been capable of rating greater than 300. The soil sort will likely be a consider how the floor performs. The temperature is anticipated to hover across the 36-degree mark when the match begins and can go down within the night. There is little to no probability of rain.

Stats and trivia

  • Rahmat Shah is simply 13 in need of turning into the fourth Afghanistan batter to attain 4000 runs in worldwide cricket.
  • South Africa have a win share of 90.90 when batting first in ODIs in 2023. They have misplaced simply one among 11 matches
  • Heinrich Klaasen’s strike fee of 148.67 is the highest in ODIs in 2023 (minimal 200 runs)
  • If Jansen takes another wicket, he’ll turn out to be the main wicket-taker for South Africa in a single ODI World Cup
  • Rassie van der Dussen has fallen to spin six instances in eight innings to this point this World Cup

Quotes

“We haven’t been horrific chasing, it’s just been one or two games where we slipped up. I think it’s just comparing to what we have done batting first, which has been exceptional.”
David Miller would not imagine South Africa are dangerous chasers

“In this World Cup, I think one part that we are not good enough in, is the fielding, you know, like we dropped so many catches. In the New Zealand game also, those dropped catches hurt us. Especially last game with Australia, that dropped the chances that we had. That was the reason, if we took that, the result and scenario would be far different than now.”
Hashmatullah Shahidi agrees that dropped catches have harm Afghanistan

Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo

Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com

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