🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: Semi Final 1 - M53: SA vs AFG @ 6:00 AM IST🏏 - Page 2

Probable Top Performers from AFG vs SA

Probable Best Batter: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

The 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been in impressive form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He is currently the highest run-getter of the tournament, having scored 281 runs from seven matches at an average of 40.14 and a strike rate of 126.00. Gurbaz will be looking to carry on the same momentum against Proteas in the upcoming match.

Probable Best Bowler: Fazalhaq Farooqi

The left-arm pacer is leading the charts for wicket-takers in the marquee event. In seven matches, he has taken 16 wickets at an average of 9.31. The South African batters need to be careful playing the 23-year-old bowler early on in the innings as he can swing the ball both ways. 

Batters To Watch(recent stats)

Ibrahim Zadran,  AFG

10 M • 317 Runs • 35.22 Avg • 111.61 SR

Rahmanullah Gurbaz,  AFG

10 M • 290 Runs • 29 Avg • 122.88 SR

Quinton de Kock,  SA

10 M • 263 Runs • 26.3 Avg • 153.8 SR

Reeza Hendricks,  SA

10 M • 207 Runs • 20.7 Avg • 118.96 SR

Bowlers To Watch(recent stats)

Rashid Khan,  AFG

10 M • 22 Wkts • 5.4 Econ • 10.9 SR

Fazalhaq Farooqi,  AFG

10 M • 18 Wkts • 7.08 Econ • 11.11 SR

Anrich Nortje,  SA

9 M • 11 Wkts • 7.09 Econ • 18.54 SR

Kagiso Rabada,  SA

7 M • 10 Wkts • 6.04 Econ • 14.4 SR

Did you know?

- Of the 51 wickets taken by bowlers at this ground during the tournament 41 - 80.39% - have fallen to seam bowlers.

- Of the 67 individual innings begun at Tarouba during the tournament only one has reached 50. Gulbadin Naib was 49 not out when Afghanistan clinched victory over Papua New Guinea.

- Thirteen of those 67 innings have resulted in ducks: a quacking 19.40%.

What they said:

"I think we deserve to be in the semis." - Rashid Khan feels the same way as everyone else who has watched his team in the tournament.

"You don't not have confidence if you manage to win games the way that we have. And then there's certain parts of the game that we know we need to brush up and tighten up on. We're working through that continuum the whole time and being real about the things that we need to do better, being real about where we are in certain aspects of our game, and celebrating the stuff that we've been getting right." - Rob Walter on the new South Africa.

Today's Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match

Scenario 1

Afghanistan win the toss and opt to bowl first

Powerplay Score: 40-50

First Innings Score: 140-150

Afghanistan win the match

Scenario 2

South Africa win the toss and opt to bowl first.

Powerplay Score: 30-40

First Innings Score: 130-140

South Africa win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

Don't forget to send your predictions for the match between South Africa and Afghanistan

Toss Prediction by 5:30 AM IST on 27/06/2024

Rest of the predictions by 6:00 AM IST 27/06/2024

Whenever you make a change, press the Submit Prediction tab again.

Thanks for the tag and thread, Raji!❤️

All the best to both teams!😎

Thanks for the thread and for tagging me Raji.  

Best wishes to both teams. 

Less than 48 hours after scripting history to qualify for the semi-finals, Afghanistan will be at it again. As they step onto the field at the Brian Lara Stadium, their players will be fully aware of the significance of what they could potentially achieve by making it all the way to the summit clash. What they have done is awe-inspiring enough, but nothing is ever 'enough' for this cricket team. Their game against Bangladesh served up drama for the ages, and it might not get any easier given the history of their opponents.

SA can (and probably should win) if they

bat first

get something decent- 150-ish

get Gurbaz (and to a lesser extent, Zadran) out early. 

Btw, no team has won the T20 WC unbeaten.

Markram has never lost a game as WC captain for SA (U19 + Senior)

AFG vs SA: Who are the key players?

Rashid Khan

Following a back surgery earlier this year, the consensus was that Rashid Khan had not looked at his threatening best during the IPL, but he has gradually come into his own over the course of this tournament. Against Bangladesh, he scored an invaluable 19* (10) and ripped the heart out of their middle-order with 4-23. On a night when history beckons once more, Afghanistan will look to their captain to make an all-round impact.  

Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen has made his name over the last two years or so as the world's most fearsome hitter of spin in the shortest format, but has not set this tournament on fire as many had predicted. There have been signs, almost a bubbling beneath the surface, but the volcano has not truly erupted. Afghanistan will attempt to keep spin away from him in any case, but if he gets the chance, Klaasen can get hold of anyone on the planet — even Rashid Khan.