South Africa will lock horns against Afghanistan in the 42nd game of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday. The Proteas have already qualified for the semifinal but they will look to get back to winning ways after a crushing loss against India.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will have to register a big win against South Africa if New Zealand and Pakistan win their respective matches against Sri Lanka and England.
South Africa was bowled out for only 83 runs and they will have to come up with a better batting show against Afghanistan. In fact, batting has been South Africa’s strength in the ongoing World Cup but it was put to knees by a formidable Indian bowling line-up.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan had the match in their grasp against Australia but Glenn Maxwell took it away with a thunderous knock of 201 runs. Afghanistan has been brilliant with both bat and ball but their poor fielding has led to their downfall. Ergo, they need to pick themselves up in the field to get the desired result.
On the other hand, South Africa had failed to create any kind of pressure in the middle overs against India despite spin conducive conditions.
Match Prediction: South Africa will enter the contest as favorites against Afghanistan.
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
