ICC Cricket World Cup Warm-up Matches Prediction | 2nd ODI | South Africa vs Afghanistan – Can AFG begin their World Cup preparations with a victory? | Sep 29, 2023

SA vs AFG Match Analysis

In the second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup Warm-up Matches 2023, South Africa vs Afghanistan. While both sides will want to win to boost their confidence for the rest of the tournament, obtaining the ideal playing combination will be more important.

From September 29 to October 3, the 10 participating teams will play two warm-up matches apiece at three different Indian locations in preparation for the ODI World Cup 2023, which is set to begin soon. South Africa will begin their World Cup practices in September with a match against Afghanistan at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. While the outcome of the game is unimportant, both sides will be eager to acquire some much-needed experience in these conditions before the main competition begins.

SA vs AFG Team Preview & Squads

South Africa

South Africa is still seeking its first ODI World Cup victory and is optimistic that this will be the year. A group in good form under Temba Bavuma’s leadership recently defeated Australia at home. It won’t be simple to immediately recreate that form in Indian circumstances, though.

South Africa’s best player has been Bavuma. In 10 One-Day Internationals this year, the brave opener has amassed 637 runs at an average of over 80, with three hundred and two fifties. This will be Quinton de Kock’s final ODI World Cup, as he has retired from the format following the tournament’s conclusion. As a result, we can anticipate some pyrotechnics from the exciting opener. De Kock has a lot of experience in these fields thanks to the IPL, and he should do well here.

Heinrich Klaasen is another batter to keep an eye on. The daring middle-order batsman has been on a homicidal spree, most recently scoring 174 off 83 balls against Australia. Klaasen is one of the few South African batsmen who can truly punish spinners, and he will undoubtedly target Afghanistan’s spinners in the second part of the game.

Kagiso Rabada will lead the pace attack, which also features players like Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen. In the competition, Keshav Maharaj is most likely to be the team’s go-to spin bowler.

South Africa Squads

South Africa

Temba Bavuma(c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan does not have the best of starts in this World Cup. They were defeated 0-3 by Pakistan in August and failed to advance to the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup a few days later. They are, nevertheless, a spirited group that can surprise any squad on their day.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be their key batsman to keep an eye on. This year, he had two massive hundreds, including a career-best 151 against Pakistan at Hambantota. Afghanistan will have a good start if he gets rolling.

Mohammad Nabi, the team’s most valued player, has extensive experience playing in these conditions. We expect him to hit some useful runs down the order as a batter. His off-breaks will also come to help in the middle overs.

South African batsmen must be wary of standout leg spinner Rashid Khan. Rashid has been the team’s top wicket-taker for years and is well-versed in these circumstances. The Protea batters are unfamiliar with his leg-breaks and will find it difficult to confront him.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is another spinner who can make a significant contribution to Afghanistan. The offspinner bowls tight lines and lengths while also bowling in the powerplay. We expect him to grab a couple of wickets upfront.

Afghanistan Squads

Afghanistan

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fareed Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

SA vs AFG outfield report

Greenfield International Stadium

Cloudy and rainy weather is predicted. As a result, the team that wins the coin toss may be tempted to field first. Thiruvananthapuram’s weather will be overcast with showers and thunderstorms. As a result, the game is likely to be often interrupted.

The pitch at Greenfield International Stadium is ideal for batting, with lots of assistance for spinners. The Pacers will get some movement off the wicket at the start of the innings. However, batters will be able to play their strokes once they have calmed down a little. The pitch slows down in the second half, but if a batter has been there for a long, he can attack the spinners.

SA vs AFG Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

The only ODI encounter between the two teams so far was won by South Africa.

South Africa vs Afghanistan Prediction

Winning the toss

• South Africa

Player of the Match

• South Africa – Temba Bavuma

Most runs

• South Africa – Temba Bavuma
• Afghanistan – Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Most wickets

• South Africa – Kagiso Rabada
• Afghanistan – Rashid Khan

Most sixes

• South Africa – Temba Bavuma
• Afghanistan – Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Team Scores Batting First

• South Africa – 290+
• Afghanistan – 270+

According to cricket analysts, South Africa has a 55.1% chance to win.

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