AFG vs SA, ICC Champions Trophy: Dream-chaser Afghanistan looks to impress on ICT debut against South Africa
As Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi started his presser on the eve of his team’s Champions Trophy campaign opener against South Africa, he was asked whether the team was under pressure.
Since 2019, the two teams have played each other in five ODIs, with Afghanistan winning just twice.
However, Shahidi underplayed the issue with a smile, saying that the series win in Sharjah, in September last year, will boost the team’s morale when it hits the ground at the National Stadium.
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And, it’s this optimism that will be the key for the Afghans, who will hope to unleash their spin attack on a surface that is likely to offer some turn.
The fact that New Zealand bowled 29 overs of spin in the tournament-opener against Pakistan a couple of days ago, could force Afghanistan to choose between Noor Ahmad or Nangeyalia Kharote along with the seasoned Rashid Khan, in the absence of Allah Ghazanfar.
With a huge fan following, the Afghan players will look to make the most of the known conditions, whereas South Africa, which comes on the back of a string of defeats, looks under-cooked.
With quicks Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje missing out, the Proteas will be banking on Kagiso Rabada, Ngidi Lungi and Marco Jansen to put up a strong fight against Afghan batters.
Even though the South African side has hardly played together over the last two years, it would look to get into the groove quickly. Keshav Maharaj and Tabrais Shamsi will be their go-to men, with spin playing an obvious factor.
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For Afghanistan, the return of Ibrahim Zadran, after a long injury lay-off, will bolster its batting, while South Africa might leave out Tristan Stubbs from its already formidable batting line-up.
Afghanistan went on to beat some top teams, including England and Pakistan, the last time it played an ODI in an ICC tournament, the 2023 World Cup.
Making their debut in the Champions Trophy, the dream-chasers will now have lots to play for on Friday.
