In the 2nd game of the series between Afghanistan (Afg) and South Africa (SA),
the Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first.
They aim to seal the series with a game to spare after a stunning performance in the first match,
where they bowled South Africa out for 36-7.
The match is being held in Sharjah under scorching conditions, with temperatures feeling as high as 49°C.
Afghanistan’s decision to bat first likely reflects a strategy to conserve energy,
leaving South Africa to face the worst of the heat during their fielding stint.
South Africa made two significant changes to their playing XI.
Captain Temba Bavuma returned to the squad after missing the first match due to illness,
while legspinner Nqaba Peter made his ODI debut. Reeza Hendricks,
who opened in the previous game, has shifted down to No. 3, leaving no spot for middle-order batter Jason Smith.
Additionally, South Africa adjusted their bowling strategy, fielding three seamers and two specialist spinners, a change from the four-seamer attack they employed in the first game.
Phehlukwayo Andile was the allrounder left out for the match.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, made just one change.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil came into the lineup, replacing Gulbadin Naib, who hit the winning runs in the first match.
The rest of the Afghan squad remained unchanged, featuring three frontline spinners—Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, and Nangyal Kharote—supported by two seamers.
Afghanistan (Afg):
Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammed Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Nangyal Kharote
South Africa (SA):
Temba Bavuma (capt), Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Nandre Burger, Wiaan Mulder, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Lungi Ngidi
This clash is crucial for both teams, with Afghanistan looking to secure the series and South Africa aiming for a comeback to keep their chances alive. Keep following “Afghanistan vs South Africa” series matches for all updates on this exciting contest.
*Published by SoMuchNews.com*
