SA vs AFG 2024, T20 World Cup 2024 Semi Final Match: Playing XI ...

4 days ago

The Indian Express

South Africa vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 1st Semi Final Match: South Africa will face one of their toughest challenges yet when they take on a buoyant Afghanistan, playing their first-ever semi-final in an ICC showpiece event, on Thursday.

SA vs Afghanistan - Figure 1 — Photo The Indian Express

With both teams having never played a final in any format of the World Cup, Thursday’s result will be historic, regardless of the result. The Afghan team will have to get used to the unfamiliar surroundings of a World Cup semifinal while South Africa will have to exorcise the demons of their cricketing past.

Here’s a look at the Playing XI predictions, head-to-head stats, venue records, pitch, and weather updates ahead of the SA vs AFG match

SA predicted XI: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

SA player to watch out: Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi will be the man to watch out for in a pitch that will be bowler friendly if the other matches of this venue are anything to go by. Shamsi was the key man for the Proteas against the West Indies in their virtual quarterfinal on Monday where he took 3 wickets to knock the co-hosts out of the tournament.

AFG predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangeyalia Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

AFG player to watch out: Captain Rashid Khan will be the key man for Afghanistan in unchartered territory, not only for his bowling and batting but also for his leadership skills which has dragged the Asian side from the depths of the abyss into the bright lights.

South Africa vs Afghanistan squads

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik. Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi.

South Africa vs Afghanistan head-to-head

Both the teams have faced each other just twice in T20Is with the matches taking place in the 2010 and the 2016 World Cups. On both occasions, South Africa have been the victors.

South Africa vs Afghanistan pitch report

The pitch at the Brian Lara Stadium has seen low scores throughout the tournament with Papaua New Guinea bowled out here for just 78 (vs NZ) and 95 (vs AFG). while Uganda scored just 40 against the Kiwis. When two big teams have faced each other, 149 was enough for the West Indies to seal a win against the Black Caps on June 12.

South Africa vs Afghanistan weather report

AccuWeather predicts “Mainly clear with a thunderstorm around late night.” The match will start at 8.30 PM and we might see some rain-related interruptions only towards the end, if at all.

South Africa vs Afghanistan livestreaming details

The South Africa vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup match will be streamed on the Hotstar App and telecast on the Star Sports Network on June 27, Thursday from 6 AM IST.