Big test for Afghanistan after heartbreak against Australia 

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Quinton de Kock has odds of 3.78 to be the best batsman for South Africa.  
• Rahmat Shah has odds of 4.09 to be Afghanistan's best batsman. 
• Kagiso Rabada has odds of 3.76 to be South Africa's best bowler.  
• Rashid Khan has odds of 3.05 to be the best bowler for Afghanistan.  

MATCH PREVIEW     

We are in the last leg of league games in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The 42nd game between South Africa and Afghanistan will be crucial for both teams. South Africa has already made it to the semifinal, but they must overcome their massive loss against India in the previous game. The side will look to build its momentum ahead of the next round. Afghanistan must win this by a considerable margin to have a chance of reaching the semifinal. They went down against Australia in the last game, which they should have won. It will be interesting to see if the Afghans can outdo the South African challenge.  

South Africa Preview      

Temba Bavuma has been improving its position on cricket betting apps. The side has done well in this tournament in most games but comes here with a humiliating 243-run loss against India. They were bowled out for 83 runs in that game and need to win here to gather their confidence. They take on a side that has played well, and Bavuma would like his team to win here and build momentum ahead of the semifinal.   

Bavuma has struggled with the bat and must offer support to Quinton de Kock, who has been in phenomenal form. The side has a solid middle order, and they will expect partnerships between Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and David Miller. Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen are good hitters, and they will take on the Afghan bowlers, who will be low on confidence after the nightmare against Australia.  

Marco Jansen had a bat outing against India but has bowled well, and he will look for early strikes along with Lungi Ngidi. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj have regularly troubled the batters and will have a crucial role in this game. The side will expect good spells from Tarbaiz Shamsi and Markram, as the Afghan batsmen have proved their skills in this tournament.       

Expected Starting XI for South Africa     

Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi  

Afghanistan Preview      

Hashmatullah Shahidi and his side must overcome the nightmare of the last game against Australia, where they lost by three wickets. It was the worst possible turnaround in ODI cricket in ages, where the Afghan bowlers failed to defend 293 runs after having the Aussies struggling at 91 for 7. A big win here can take them to the next round, and Shahidi and his men would look to put up a good show and improve their odds of reaching the next round.  

Ibrahim Zadran hit a hundred in the previous game and will look to deliver a positive start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The middle order has done well for the team, and they would like to see Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah add runs with Azmatullah Omarzai. Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan add firepower to this batting line-up towards the end.  

Mujeeb Ur Rahman had a bad day against the Aussies, and he will need to get rid of the South African top order, sharing the new ball with Naveen-ul-Haq. Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan did well in the last game, and the pair will look to keep the scoring rate under check in the middle overs. Mohammad Nabi must bring his experience to play and do well with Noor Ahmed in the supporting act.   

Expected Starting XI for Afghanistan      

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

This surface is very tough when it comes to defending scores. Sides have struggled to bowl under lights when the dew sets in. Chasing scores is relatively easy, and the side that wins the toss won't hesitate to bowl first.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

It will be a warm day in Ahmedabad. The surface is flat, but we have seen slowness, which bowlers like to use and fox the batsmen. Batsmen must build their innings and rotate the strike. The side batting first shall be happy to have 300 runs on the board, which they can defend with good bowling.  

OUR PREDICTION      

Afghanistan must clear their minds from the heartbreak in the last game. Losses such as those can demoralize any side. Poor fielding cost them the previous game, and the side must tighten the screws and play positively. South Africans have done well with the bat and the ball and have more firepower with the bat. We expect a close game, but the South Africans will start favorites.  

Our Prediction is for South Africa to win.