South Africa is all set to take on the Afghanistan in Match 42 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Friday, November 10 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both the teams have a star-studded squad that can change the course of the game with their abilities. South Africa is the favourite to win this encounter against Afghanistan.
South Africa and Afghanistan have a fierce rivalry in the format. Both teams have played 1 ODI match, with South Africa winning 1 game and Afghanistan winning 0 game so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 42 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between South Africa and Afghanistan.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Top 5 Players to Watch Out in South Africa vs Afghanistan Today Match
Here are three player battles to watch out for during SA vs AFG match:
1) Quinton de Kock vs Rashid Khan
Quinton de Kock has displayed exceptional form in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, ranking as the second-leading run-scorer in the tournament. Across eight matches, he has amassed 550 runs with an impressive average of 68.75, featuring four centuries. His upcoming challenge lies in facing the spin maestro Rashid Khan. The duo has encountered each other in just one ODI match, where De Kock confidently struck four boundaries off Rashid. The impending battle between these two players adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming game.
2) Aiden Markram vs Naveen-ul-Haq
Aiden Markram has showcased remarkable form in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, contributing significantly to the South African team with a century and three fifties. Accumulating 371 runs at an average of 53, Markram is a key performer. He is set to face off against Naveen-ul-Haq, an Afghan pacer who has had a decent tournament, securing eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.36.
3) Ibrahim Zadran vs Marco Jansen
Afghanistan batter Ibrahim Zadran left an indelible mark by scoring a century against Australia in their recent World Cup match, becoming the first Afghan batter to achieve this feat. The right-handed batsman aims to replicate this performance, but he faces a formidable challenge in the form of Marco Jansen. The South African pacer has been a standout performer, claiming 17 wickets in 8 matches, establishing himself as their leading wicket-taker in the tournament. The clash between Zadran and Jansen promises to be a captivating aspect of the upcoming game.