South Africa vs Afghanistan, Match 42
ICC World Cup, 10 November, 2023, 2 PM IST, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
South Africa vs Afghanistan will be locking horns against each other only for the second time in ODIs in the 42nd match of the ongoing World Cup in India. The clash is set to take place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 10 (Friday). Afghanistan will be looking for yet another upset especially after the way they lost to Australia in their previous outing.
South Africa have qualified for the semifinals already and are most likely to face Australia. But their inability to chase totals is baffling for many and the way they capitulated against India in Kolkata was certainly worrying for them. Nevertheless, the Proteas will be looking to make the most of this encounter.
Having said that, they cannot go wrong anymore too as a loss to Afghanistan can dent their confidence even more after the 243-run thrashing at the hands of India. Barring the loss, South Africa have been exceptional in this World Cup and deserve to be sitting pretty at the second place in the table.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be gutted to lose to Australia after having them down and out at 91/7 while defending 291 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A certain Glenn Maxwell blew them away with a historic double-century, a first in a chase in ODI history.
But they will have to keep their heads high no matter what given the way they have performed in the mega event. Moreover, they are still in the hunt to make it to the knockouts and should target a massive win in this encounter against the Proteas.
The South Africa vs Afghanistan prediction can be easily given in favour of the former side. But Temba Bavuma’s men are vulnerable while facing a lesser-known side and also, Afghanistan doesn’t seem to be a second-string anymore. They have performed really well in this World Cup and even if they don’t make the semis, they will be keen on going out on a high.
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for South Africa: L-W-W-W-W
Team Form, Last 5 Matches for the Afghanistan: L-W-W-W-L
South Africa vs Afghanistan head to head stats and records ODI 2023
Contents
South Africa vs Afghanistan Match Preview
South Africa
South Africa are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI unless they want to bring in Gerald Coetzee for Tabraiz Shamsi. The two players have been swapped on regular basis depending on the conditions so far in this World Cup. Apart from them, the rest of the unit is pretty much settled.
The batting unit of South Africa has surprised many. The way they have amassed runs at will against stronger oppositions has been brilliant but they will be wary of Afghanistan who will come hard at them. The Proteas have most of their bases covered but will have to be confident only while chasing a total.
Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Quinton de Kock
Probable Best Bowler: Kagiso Rabada
Possible Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (WK), Temba Bavuma (C), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi/Gerald Coetzee
Afghanistan
Afghanistan will be feeling hurt after losing to Australia but they must have learnt a lot from that defeat. They are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI after doing so well for the 70% of the game in their previous outing. Their batting has stepped up big time as the tournament has progressed while the bowling attack too is unlikely to be changed.
South Africa’s vulnerability against the spinner will definitely force them to keep Noor Ahmed in the playing XI ahead of Fazalhaq Farooqi. Azmatullah Omarzai too is doing a fine job thanks to his all-round skills.
Probable Best Perfomers
Probable Best Batter: Rahmatullah Gurbaz
Probable Best Bowler: Rashid Khan
Possible Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq
Pitch Report and Expected Weather Conditions for South Africa vs Afghanistan
The surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium has been conducive to teams bowling first. Scores have been chased at this venue twice in three matches. In the last game, spin played its part and Afghanistan will be keen to bat first. But with dew expected to come down heavily, there is a temptation to bowl first too.
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad ODI Records
Total Matches: 31
Match Won batting first: 17
Match won bowling first: 14
Average 1st innings score: 237
Average 2nd innings score: 207
Expected weather condition: It will certainly be a hot day in Ahmedabad on Friday. There is no chance of rain at all during the match. Moreover, sun will be out throughout with temperatures hovering in the mid-30s. Though it is expected to cool down in the evening, the temperature is likely to stay around 28-30 Degrees Celsius.
South Africa vs Afghanistan Dream11 Match Prediction
Wicket-keepers: Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Ibrahim Zadran, Rassie van der Dussen
All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen
Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Recommended Captain: Quinton de Kock
Recommended Vice-captain: Marco Jansen
There is a catch with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. It is better to pick him only if Afghanistan are batting first. His numbers aren’t good when they chase. But Zadran cannot be ignored while the same is the case with the likes of De Kock and Van der Dussen.
In the all-rounders department, Azmatullah Omarzai bats at five and bowls his quota of overs mostly and that makes him even a decent captaincy option in Dream11 Fantasy. Among bowlers, Rashid and Mujeeb will be important given their ability to strike often.
South Africa vs Afghanistan win prediction: South Africa to win
South Africa have been the top team in this World Cup irrespective of their losses to the Netherlands and India. They have played really well and are the favourites to win against Afghanistan too.
