ODI World Cup 2023: Predicting Afghanistan’s Playing XI for their encounter against South Africa

In this article we will be predicting the Afghanistan’s Playing XI. The Afghans have already left an indelible mark on this World Cup. Their campaign in this tournament will always be a beacon of hope for Afghanistan Cricket in the future. They lost narrowly against Australia in Mumbai. The Afghans had almost pulled off a victory but it was Glenn Maxwell who did not let that happen. Now their qualification to the semi-finals is in jeopardy but the best they can do is to beat the South Africans and wait for other results. They will be taking on the Proteas challenge in their next assignment, in Ahmedabad.

Let’s take a look at the probable Afghanistan’s Playing XI against South Africa in the ODI World Cup 2023:

Top Order

Afghanistan’s opening pair has been one of the highlights for them in the World Cup. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have given them stable starts on multiple occasions. In the last match against Australia, Ibrahim Zadran became the first player from Afghanistan to make a century in an ODI World Cup. 

Along with the two openers Rahmat Shah has given solidity and composure to this batting order at No.3. He will be looking to do the same against South Africa as well. 

Middle Order

The skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi has been a rock for them in the middle order with consistent performances. All-rounders Omarzai, Nabi, and Rashid Khan have given this batting order the required firepower to score big totals or chase down the same. They will be retaining their place along with wicketkeeper-batsman Ikram Alikhil in this middle order. 

Bowling Unit

It is Afghanistan’s bowling that has carried them so far in this World Cup. They dropped Fazalhaq Farooqi and brought Naveen Ul Haq in the starting lineup against Australia and they may look to go with the same composition as their main strength in this World Cup has been their spinners. The spin quartet of Rashid, Noor, Mujeeb, and Nabi have done their job in this World Cup so far and they will be eager to replicate it against South Africa. All-rounder Omarzai and Naveen would be taking up the fast-bowling responsibilities 

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