South Africa will seek to improve their chasing ability ahead of the semifinals, while Afghanistan will aim to continue their winning streak against top teams when the two sides meet in a World Cup match on November 10.
Afghanistan have more at stake than South Africa, who have already qualified for the semifinals alongside India and Australia. With eight points each, Afghanistan are vying for the fourth spot with Pakistan and New Zealand. Only a win against the Proteas will keep them in the hunt.
Afghanistan have a lower net run rate than Pakistan and New Zealand, so they need to win by a large margin and hope that the other results go their way. Regardless of the outcome on November 10, Afghanistan have earned immense respect for their mature performance in the tournament, having won four of their eight matches.
They now believe that they can defeat the best teams in the world on any given day. After defeating England and Pakistan, the Hasmatullah Shahidi-led team was on the verge of an historic victory over five-time champions Australia before Glenn Maxwell's superhuman knock.
Afghanistan were heartbroken after their improbable defeat, but they must now pick themselves up and give their best shot at reaching the semifinals.
South Africa have the best batting unit in the tournament, so Shahidi will be hoping to win the toss, bat first, and put up a big score to put South Africa under pressure.
South Africa have been hesitant while chasing in this tournament, so Afghanistan's match-winning spinners will be looking to exploit this weakness.
Spin has been Afghanistan's strength for many years, but they can also expect breakthroughs from their pacers. With a little help from the pitch, Naveen Ul Haq and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai were able to rattle the Australian top order with the new ball.
Afghanistan's batting, which has been their weak link in the past, has come of age in this tournament. Batters like Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Shahidi himself know how to play according to the situation, whether batting first or chasing.
Afghanistan expect more from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and veteran Mohammad Nabi, who have not performed consistently with the bat.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is under pressure to perform, especially after Quinton de Kock has scored heavily in his final tournament. Bavuma missed two games due to illness, and Reeza Hendricks capitalised on his opportunity.
Although it is unlikely that Bavuma will be dropped before the semifinals, the Afghanistan match is a perfect opportunity for him to get back in form.
David Miller is one of the best finishers in the game, but he has not yet performed at his best in the World Cup. The left-hander will be looking to get into good form before the knockout stage.
Left-arm pacer Marco Jansen has been a valuable addition to the team, but he needs to improve his economy rate. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been their go-to bowler in the middle overs. It is unclear whether the Proteas will play Tabraiz Shamsi, who is often guilty of bowling loose balls in the middle of a spell.
Squads
Afghanistan
Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), 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
Temba Bavuma (captain), 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.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by PTI)
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