Rashid Khan (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
South Africa and Afghanistan are set to face each other in a bilateral series for the first time. The two teams will compete in a three-match ODI series, starting with the first game on Wednesday, September 18, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The second and third ODIs will also be played at the same venue on September 20 and 22, respectively.
Afghanistan have played two three-match ODI series this year. They were comprehensively whitewashed 3-0 by Sri Lanka in Pallekele in February. The Blue Tigers went on to play three ODIs in Sharjah against Ireland in March and the series ended with a 2-0 scoreline in favor of Hashmatullah Shahidi and Co. One of the matches was abandoned due to rain.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s last ODI series was in December 2023, where they lost to India 1-2 at home. They are coming into the contest on the back of a 0-3 T20I series whitewash against the West Indies in the Caribbean last month. The Proteas will look to get back to winning ways with a solid performance against a buoyant Afghanistan side.
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Here are the three players to watch out for in AFG vs SA series 2024:
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter will have to set the tone at the top of the order for Afghanistan. In the absence of fellow opener Ibrahim Zadran, who has been ruled out of the series due to an ankle injury, the onus will be on Rahmanullah Gurbaz to set a solid platform for his team which will allow the hard-hitting finishers to play their natural game.
Gurbaz has been one of the most consistent performers for Afghanistan, having scored 1,467 runs from 40 ODIs at an average of 37.62 and a strike rate of 88.53. He has an excellent conversion rate, having already registered five half-centuries and six centuries in the 50-over format.
In the Ireland series, he scored a century and a half-century, finishing as the highest run-getter and also bagging the Player of the Series award. The 22-year-old is improving with every series and will look to stamp his authority against the Proteas.
2. Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram was prolific with the bat for South Africa in ODIs last year. In 24 ODIs, he smashed 1,033 runs at a staggering average of 51.65 and an awe-inspiring strike rate of 113.26.
Having made his ODI debut in 2017, the right-handed batter had only scored five half-centuries before 2023 and was yet to register his maiden century in the format. However, in 2023, he smashed three centuries and five tons, finishing as the highest run-getter for the Proteas in the format.
Markram’s ability to adapt his game according to match situations makes him special. He can play the waiting game and also put the bowlers to the sword when required. If the 29-year-old is in form, it will stand South Africa in good stead against Afghanistan’s formidable bowling attack.
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1. Rashid Khan
The talismanic Rashid Khan was recently struggling with a back issue but is now back to 100% and will be raring to go. Spinners are expected to play impactful roles in Sharjah as the pitches could suit them. However, it will be interesting to see whether the lack of match fitness bothers the leg-spinner.
Rashid has a sensational record in ODIs played in Sharjah. In 11 matches, he has picked up 29 wickets at an average of 12.06 and boasts a miserly economy rate of 3.68. He also registered figures of 5/24 against Zimbabwe at this venue in 2018.
The 25-year-old has the experience of playing 103 ODIs and his 30 overs in the series will be very important. Also, Rashid has improved his batting immensely in recent times and will have a role to play lower down the order.