Afghanistan vs South Africa ODI
1st ODI: AFG vs SA

Preview

Afghanistan will face South Africa in the 3-match ODI series starting on Wednesday, 18th September 2024. The first ODI match of this series is scheduled to take place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. 

The Asian side earlier was assigned for a one-off test match against Blackcaps which was completely washed out without even a single ball being bowled at Greater Noida, UP. On the other hand, the Proteas were recently clean-swept by West Indies at home in the T20I format by 0-3.

This 3-match ODI series not only promises exciting cricket but also marks the first bilateral meeting between the two nations. AFG and SA have faced off before in two World ODI series matches, with Proteas leading 2-0. It is going to be a crucial series for both sides ahead of the preparation of the Champions Series 2025 which will be played in ODI format. Meanwhile, Afghans will be eyeing revenge against South Africa, who humiliated the Asian side in the semi-final of the T20 World Series 2024.

AFG and SA have faced each other 02 times in the ODI format. Of these 02 matches, SA both won comfortably against the Afghans.

Match Details

Match: AFG vs SA, 1st ODI, Afghanistan vs South Africa ODI

Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Time: 05:30 PM

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Pitch and Weather Report

Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates is known to be a good batting pitch. The new white ball will move around a bit, particularly under lights, but once the pitch settles down, batters can milk the runs comfortably. This venue has hosted 249 matches so far, out of which 132 were won by batting first, and 115 won by the chasing side. The average score batting first in ODIs here is 241 runs.

With that record, both side's skippers will be keen to the crucial toss, and bowl first and put pressure on the opposition by taking advantage of the deck. Batters, though, can expect a nice time here and would try to restrict the batting side on or before the score of 245-255 runs.

During the match, the temperature in Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates is predicted to be around 28-39 degrees Celsius, with the humidity level crossing over 45%. There is going to be light wind on the ground at the speed of 23 km/h. There is no rain expected for the match day and it is going to be a sunny day in UAE.

AFG vs SA Squads

AFG: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah (vice-captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicket-keeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicket-keeper), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik

SA: Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs (wicket-keeper), Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Lizaad Williams

AFG vs SA Probable Playing XIs

AFG: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Farid Ahmad Malik

Match Prediction

We back South Africa to win this first ODI match against Afghanistan.

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