World Cup 2019: South Africa vs Afghanistan preview

By
Aliha Ejaz
|

CARDIFF: South Africa face Afghanistan in the 21st match of the World Cup at the Sophia Gardens today. 

Sitting at the bottom of the points table, both South Africa and Afghanistan are looking for their first win of the tournament.

South Africa come into the game after losing their opening match of the tournament to England followed by losses to Bangladesh and India followed by a rained-out fixture against the West Indies.

South Africa have to win a game in the tournament. Photo: File

On the other hand, Afghanistan boosts a good spin bowling attack which they can use to exploit the weaknesses of the Proteas batsman.  

Bowlers like Muhammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman, can be a threat to the opposing team when in form.

Afghanistan have to win a game in the tournament. Photo: File

However, the trouble for Afghanistan lies in their batting department as none of the batsmen have shown any temperament to succeed yet in the tournament. 

If Afghanistan have any hope left to win this match their batsmen have to play better than what we have seen previously in the tournament.

The match between South Africa and Afghanistan will begin at 5:30pm Pakistan Standard Time. 

Weather conditions in Cardiff

Light showers are expected in the morning although conditions are likely to brighten up later on. 

South Africa vs Afghanistan ODI stats:

Head to head matches: 2

South Africa won: 2

Afghanistan won: 0

Tied: 0

Highest total:209/5 by South Africa in 2016

Lowest total: 80 by Afghanistan in 2010

Most wickets: M Morkel (SA) 4 wickets

Most runs: AB de Villiers (SA) 81 runs in 2 matches played

South Africa’s squad for World Cup 2019: Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock, Imran Tahir, David Miller, JP Duminy, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dwaine Pretorius, Rassie van der Dussen, Hashim Amla

Afghanistan’s Squad for World Cup 2019: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib (c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ali Zadran, Samiullah Shenwari, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan