Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 21: Afghanistan v South Africa Preview Dream11. AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction

No wins. Off-field distractions. Lack of confidence.

Afghanistan and South Africa have both had forgettable tournaments to date. Their performances have represented teams looking distracted – South Africa with the whole AB saga and Afghanistan with a change of captaincy so close to the tournament. Add the controversy surrounding Mohammad Shahzad’s early exit from the tournament and you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking that this game is the battle of who can better put their off-field distractions to the side.

The equation is simple, but equally as difficult, for both teams: win the next five games to stand a chance of making the Semi Finals.

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Key to an Afghanistan win

Afghanistan certainly look a team distracted. Their batting, a worry heading into the tournament, has been a disappointment, despite three separate half centuries from an individual player in three matches. South Africa’s new ball bowlers will be out to make a mark, so the onus is on the Afghan openers to see through the powerplay overs; just as they did vs New Zealand, to get their innings up and running. However, can the middle order perform? Unfortunately, the middle order has been prone to a collapse this tournament, so the onus is on Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Najibullah Zadran to hold things sturdy in the middle overs.

Also, can Afghanistan exploit South Africa’s own troubles with the bat? Afghanistan have had both good and poor moments in the field, mostly highlighted by flicking a switch to force a Sri Lankan collapse earlier in the tournament. South Africa’s struggles against pace early needs to be exploited by the likes of Hamid Hassan, paving the way for Rashid Khan to target South Africa’s nervousness against wristspin bowling. Can Afghanistan ensure plenty rests on Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis?

Key to a South Africa win

The Proteas have to fire now. On the brink of an exit just over two weeks into the tournament, they have no choice but to, which requires a performance full of fight and determination. They start as favourites, but there is no room for complacency (the kind that was on show against Bangladesh) against an Afghanistan side capable of springing a surprise. So, will the South African seamers be on the money right away? What damage can Kagiso Rabada – so superb against India, cause to Afghanistan? Against a lineup prone to losing quick wickets, much is required from the all-rounders, especially if Lungi Ngidi is deemed not quite fit enough yet.

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Also, the time for the batsmen to step up is now. Hashim Amla continues to struggle, but this is his chance to make a mark and find the form he was in during the Warm-up matches. Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis will always be key, but the dire situation of South Africa’s dying World Cup campaign requires greater contributions from those around them. Can the likes of Aiden Markram and David Miller build on starts which have promised so much but have only disappointed to date? Who will finish the innings with the power that the Proteas desire? A crucial game requires crucial contributions, and the time to step up has never been more prominent.

Pitch and conditions

Rain is forecast for the morning but could clear nicely by the afternoon. The Cardiff track has varied from seamer-friendly green tops to a good batting track for the England vs Bangladesh game.

Possible Playing 11

Hazratullah Zazai, who seems to be stuck in T20 mode, has never batted at least 50 balls in an ODI. Afghanistan are a team in need of a solid start, and he needs to build on his starts. Also, Dawlat Zadran could play in this game, depending on his fitness. Rain in Cardiff in recent days means Afghanistan could focus on more seam in their attack.

Afghanistan: 1. Hazratullah Zazai, 2. Noor Ali Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5. Gulbadin Naib (c), 6. Najibullah Zadran, 7. Mohammad Nabi, 8. Ikram Ali Khil (wk), 9. Rashid Khan, 10. Aftab Alam/Dawlat Zadran, 11. Hamid Hassan

Lungi Ngidi could be given an extra game to recover from his hamstring problem. So, South Africa will likely go in with both Andile Phehlukwayo and Chris Morris.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Hashim Amla, 3. Aiden Markram, 4. Faf du Plessis (c), 5. Rassie van der Dussen, 6. David Miller, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Chris Morris, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Beuran Hendricks, 11. Imran Tahir

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 1:

Option 2:

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Stats and Facts

• This will be the first ever ODI between Afghanistan and South Africa.
• Over the last four years, spinners average 42.4 at Sophia Gardens compared to 30.9 for seamers.
• Both teams are yet to win a match in CWC 2019.

Match Prediction

Desperation is expected to be on show in Cardiff.

South Africa should have enough experience and class to get the job done against Afghanistan.

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