Aiden Markram is leading South Africa in place of the unwell Temba Bavuma in their first ODI against Afghanistan, outside of World Cup matches. Sharjah is hosting the three-match series, marking its 250th ODI.
South Africa has pinpointed Afghanistan’s bowling as a key challenge, with Rashid Khan making his ODI return after last featuring in the 2023 World Cup. Afghanistan is fielding a spin-heavy attack, with three additional spinners in AM Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, and Mohammad Nabi, who has played in all 25 of Afghanistan’s ODIs in Sharjah. On the batting front, they selected Riaz Hassan to open alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with Ibrahim Zadran sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Bavuma’s absence simplified South Africa’s top-order selection, with Tony de Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks opening the innings, followed by captain Markram at No. 3. The middle order consists of the relatively inexperienced Tristan Stubbs, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, and debutant Jason Smith. South Africa also has two seam-bowling allrounders in Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo. South Africa chose left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin over legspinner Nqaba Peter and went with a four-pronged seam attack, including Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi.
Despite none of the South African players having played an ODI in Sharjah before, they are not overly concerned about the conditions. They relaid the surface at the ground a year ago, and although it’s dry, it isn’t expected to be as slow as in the past.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nangeyalia Kharote.
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.
Leave a Reply