ICC World Cup 2019 Match 21, Afghanistan vs South Africa: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Seven matches, one washout, six defeats: that is what South Africa and Afghanistan have managed between them in the 2019 World Cup. Naturally, they are placed at the bottom of the points table, and are out of the hunt for semi-finals unless they put in superhuman efforts from here.

South Africa have been plagued by injuries. They came without Anrich Nortje, lost Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla copped a blow, and Lungi Ngidi pulled a hamstring.

Their fit players, however, have not done too poorly. While they have not done anything outstanding, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and Rassie van der Dussen have been decent. And their lower middle-order helped them avoid a collapse against India.

Kagiso Rabada bowled with a lion’s heart against India without luck, while Chris Morris has impressed in both roles. And while he did not succeed against the Indians – who play wrist-spin better than anyone – Imran Tahir will have a role to play here.

Afghanistan put up spirited fights against Australia and Sri Lanka before sinking without a trace against New Zealand. They have impressed in bits but not on a consistent basis, something they are certainly capable of once they get their act together. With a week’s rest, they should have something better to offer.

As of now, they need their top order to deliver (in Mohammad Shahzad’s absence), to give Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi a total of some sort to defend.

Head to head

The teams have never met in ODI cricket, though they had met twice in the ICC World T20: South Africa won by 59 runs at Bridgetown in 2010 and by 37 runs at Wankhede in 2016.

Key players

Aftab Alam (Afghanistan): Aftab has played only once in the tournament, where New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets. However, he picked up all three wickets. These included Martin Guptill off the first ball of the innings, and later, Ross Taylor, clean bowled. Taylor was not, and will certainly not be, the first to be deceived by Aftab’s front-on bowling action.

Chris Morris (South Africa): Morris has been one of the few bright spots in South Africa’s otherwise disastrous campaign. He has bowled fast, extracted bounce, has taken crucial wickets (could have been more), gone for 5.45, and has scored at 118. They will need more of his all-round shows.

Likely XIs

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Noor Ali Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Gulbadin Naib (c), Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Ikram Ali Khil (wk), Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan.

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, JP Duminy, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir.

Prediction

South Africa to win but not easily.