Afghanistan will lock horns against South Africa in the third match of the ongoing Champions Trophy at the National Stadium, Karachi on Friday. Afghanistan is the dark horse of the tournament and they would look to deliver their best in the conditions, which are known to them.
On the other hand, South Africa will look to come up with a collective effort and replicate their 2024 T20 World Cup performance, when they made to the final of the tournament. We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form of Afghanistan: W W NR W L
Afghanistan won their previous series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh but they will need to be at their absolute best against the Proteas. Afghan players have taken giant strides at the top level and they would look to keep up the good show.
Current form of South Africa: L L L L L
South Africa have lost their last five ODIs and they will certainly need to turn the tables against Afghanistan. The Proteas have already lost the services of Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee because of injuries. Ergo, the Temba Bavuma-led team will aim to deliver as a unit.
Head to Head: Matches: 5, Won by South Africa: 3, Won by Afghanistan: 2
Players to look out for: Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen will be the crucial players for South Africa.
Rashid Khan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Azmatullah Omarzai will hold the key for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
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