For the primary time, Afghanistan and South Africa will play a bilateral ODI sequence. This important three-match sequence will happen from September 18 to September 22 on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Traditionally, these groups have solely met throughout ICC ODI World Cups, making this sequence a landmark occasion of their cricketing historical past.
Rashid Khan returns to motion amidst key absences
Afghanistan’s squad encompasses a main enhance with the return of leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who has not performed an ODI for the reason that ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India. Rashid’s inclusion is very anticipated as he brings helpful expertise and ability to Afghanistan’s bowling lineup. Nevertheless, the workforce might be lacking a number of key gamers: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who’s recovering from a sprained index finger, and Ibrahim Zadran, who’s sidelined with an ankle damage. Noor Ahmad can be absent resulting from damage. Of their place, Abdul Malik has been chosen, and Darwish Rasooli may probably make his ODI debut.
Strategic preparation for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
This sequence is essential for each groups as they gear up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The matches will function a vital preparation section, serving to each groups fine-tune their methods and construct kind forward of the match. For Afghanistan, this sequence presents an opportunity to check their squad depth and modify their recreation plans with out a number of key gamers. South Africa may also be seeking to solidify their squad and techniques in anticipation of the Champions Trophy, making these matches an essential step of their preparation.
Additionally READ: Cricket South Africa pronounces squad for ODI sequence towards Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s top-choice taking part in XI for the ODI sequence towards South Africa:
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) – Opening Batter
- Position: Aggressive opening batter and wicketkeeper.
- Strengths: Explosive within the powerplay, able to offering fast begins.
- Affect: Units a stable basis for the innings together with his aggressive play, particularly on slower pitches within the UAE.
2. Darwish Rasooli – Opening Batter
- Position: Aggressive top-order batter.
- Strengths: Can complement Gurbaz together with his attacking model, able to accelerating the innings.
- Affect: Supplies fast runs on the high, serving to to construct a powerful begin.
3. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) – Captain and High-Order Batter
- Position: Captain and skilled top-order batter.
- Strengths: Dependable and regular, able to anchoring the innings and adapting to completely different situations.
- Affect: Supplies stability and management, essential for constructing innings and dealing with stress.
4. Rahmat Shah (vc) – Vice-Captain and Center-Order Batter
- Position: Vice-captain and key middle-order batter.
- Strengths: Technically sound and proficient at rotating strike and accelerating as wanted.
- Affect: Stabilizes the innings and offers a reliable presence within the center order.
5. Mohammad Nabi – All-Rounder
- Position: Senior all-rounder with spin bowling and lower-order batting capabilities.
- Strengths: Efficient off-spin bowler and highly effective lower-order hitter.
- Affect: Provides steadiness to the workforce together with his twin capabilities, essential in each batting and bowling departments.
6. Azmatullah Omarzai – All-Rounder
- Position: All-rounder contributing with medium-pace bowling and batting.
- Strengths: Versatile, can supply steadiness with contributions in each departments.
- Affect: Supplies flexibility and depth within the center overs, each with the bat and ball.
7. Gulbadin Naib – All-Rounder
- Position: Seam-bowling all-rounder.
- Strengths: Efficient with each bat and ball, presents depth and selection.
- Affect: Helpful for ending innings and including steadiness to the facet.
8. Rashid Khan – Leg-Spin Bowler
- Position: Premier leg-spinner.
- Strengths: World-class spin bowler, excels in extracting flip and bounce.
- Affect: Key wicket-taker and might dominate within the center overs, particularly in spin-friendly situations.
9. Fazal Haq Farooqi – Quick Bowler
- Position: Quick bowler.
- Strengths: Supplies tempo and swing, efficient within the powerplay and demise overs.
- Affect: Gives tempo choices and the flexibility to take early wickets and management the circulate of runs.
10. Farid Ahmad Malik – Quick Bowler
- Position: Quick bowler.
- Strengths: Recognized for his tempo and aggression.
- Affect: Provides an additional tempo choice and might be impactful within the center overs and demise overs.
11. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar – Off-Spin Bowler
- Position: Off-spin bowler.
- Strengths: Supplies selection to the spin assault together with his off-spin.
- Affect: Helpful for tying down batters and breaking partnerships within the center overs.
