ODI World Cup 2023: Afghanistan’s strongest predicted playing XI against South Africa

All eyes turn to the clash netween Afghanistan (AFG) and South Africa (SA) at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, where Afghanistan aims to rebound on November 10. In a nail-biter at Wankhede, Afghanistan, defending 291 runs, had Australia on the ropes at 91 for 7 in their previous game. Shahidi's squad was on the verge of scripting history, but Maxwell's brilliance and a couple of fielding fumbles turned the tide. The game slipped from Shahidi's grasp, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. 

Afghanistan would have taken some valuable lessons from their showdown with Australia, gearing up to stage a resilient comeback against a formidable opponent in a must-win battle. With three consecutive successful chases before the Australia clash, Afghanistan's batting has showcased maturity. The adept pacing of their innings against the Aussies adds to the team's impressive form.

Here's Afghanistan's Predicted XI against South Africa:

Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran

Rahmanullah Gurbaaz displayed a formidable touch in the 2023 World Cup, shining brightly with a stellar knock against Pakistan. Though facing a dip in form in subsequent matches, his overall contribution stands solid. Accumulating over 250 runs in eight games, Gurbaz maintains an average of 33.43 and a striking rate nearing 100, showcasing his impact on the Afghan squad.

Ibrahim Zadran partners with Gurbaz at the opening slot against South Africa. His unbeaten 129 against Australia was a pivotal innings, steering the team to a solid 291. Zadran now stands as the leading run-scorer for Afghanistan, surpassing 300 runs. Undoubtedly the most in-form batter for the side in this World Cup, his prowess adds a crucial dimension to Afghanistan's batting lineup.

Middle Order: Rahmat Shah, Azamatullah Omarzai, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Ikram Alikhil (WK)

Rahmat Shah, a stable figure in Afghanistan's middle order, continues to lay a robust foundation. His steady performance at number three, contributing 30 runs against Australia and forming a crucial 83-run partnership with Zadran, exemplified his reliability. As Afghanistan's highest run-scorer in ODIs with 105 matches under his belt, Shah stands as a seasoned contributor to the team's batting prowess.

Azmatullah Omarzai, the versatile all-rounder, proves to be a valuable asset at the number four slot. Contributing with both bat and ball, he notched up 22 runs and claimed two pivotal wickets, playing a key role in Australia's sudden downfall in the previous match. Recognizing his impact, Afghanistan will provide him further support and confidence to enhance his game.

Check Here: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Hashmatullah Shahidi has showcased impressive captaincy in the 2023 World Cup, particularly excelling in early-innings bowling changes against Australia. His batting prowess was evident in his composed 26 off 43 balls in that match, contributing to an overall tally of 308 runs from eight games at an outstanding average of 61.60. 

Ikram Alikhil, the specialist wicketkeeper, found limited chances in the batting lineup due to his position down the order. Yet to fully settle into his batting style in most matches, Alikhil showcases his reliability behind the stumps, securing some impressive catches. As a valuable lower-order batter, he adds a handy dimension to Afghanistan's lineup, ready to contribute when called upon.

All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan

The seasoned all-rounder, Mohammad Nabi, takes the pivotal sixth spot, offering a wealth of experience to Afghanistan. With a remarkable 150+ ODI appearances, he remains the most seasoned player in the squad. Though scoring a quick 12 off 10 balls against Australia, Nabi's impact goes beyond numbers, as his vast experience positions him as a key player crucial to Afghanistan's campaign.

Rashid Khan's promotion up the order over Alikhil is justified by his explosive batting potential. While his bowling faced challenges in this World Cup, he showcased his prowess with the bat in a delightful cameo against Australia, contributing to Afghanistan's victory. Despite the bowling setbacks, Rashid has clinched nine wickets from eight games, affirming his dual role as a valuable all-rounder.

Bowlers: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq

Mujeeb Ur Rahman has showcased a commendable performance in the World Cup with seven wickets. His precision during the powerplay has been a standout, contributing to his overall tally of 100 wickets in 74 matches throughout his career. Mujeeb's versatility to bowl effectively in the powerplay adds a significant layer to his skill set, enhancing Afghanistan's bowling depth.

As one of the youngest entrants in the World Cup, Noor Ahmed consistently makes impactful contributions when included in the playing XI. His stellar performances in this tournament, boasting five wickets in three matches and an impressive economy rate of 4.58, make a compelling case for his selection in the upcoming clash against South Africa.

Naveen-ul-Haq will secure his position as one of the two seamers in the Afghan squad, making a mark by dismissing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in the Australia clash. With an unorthodox and deceptive bowling style, Naveen, set to retire from ODI cricket post-World Cup, will aim to deliver a stellar performance.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

Afghanistan's Probable Predicted XI:

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