South Africa and Afghanistan have faced each other five times in ODIs. The 1998 Champions Trophy winners has won three games against Afghanistan. The SA vs AFG head-to-head record shows the Proteas has a 3-2 lead over their opponent. However, in recent times Afghanistan has improved on their record. In their last three meeting the Asian nation have won twice.
South Africa and Afghanistan will be playing against each other for the first time in Champions Trophy.
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South Africa and Afghanistan have never played each other at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Mohammad Yousuf holds the record at the National Stadium in Karachi. The former Pakistani batter scored 817 runs at the venue. The SA vs AFG head-to-head record could be affected by National Stadium’s stats. Among active South African cricketers, Heinrich Klaasen has scored the most runs at the venue. Klaasen scored 87 runs in one innings while Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma too have scored more than 80 runs at the venue.
National Stadium in Karachi have been a great venue for the batters. Usually the surface favors the team that bowls first here. However, in the opening match of the tournament between Pakistan and New Zealand, the Kiwis won in spite of batting first. The SA vs AFG head-to-head record would be affected on how the pitch behaves on the 21st of February.
Afghanistan’s players hold all of the major records in fixtures between them and South Africa. Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds the record for scoring the most runs and making the highest individual score. Rashid Khan on the other hand has the most wickets, best bowling figures, and the most five-wicket hauls. The SA vs AFG head-to-head record could very well be affected by how these players perform in their upcoming game.
South Africa and Afghanistan will feature some great players. The head-to-head record between the two sides can be affected by how these players perform in the upcoming fixture. In their last five games, the Proteas has won thrice. However, in the past year, Afghanistan has bounced back strongly winning two of the three games. Here is a look at some of the key players from South Africa vs Afghanistan match.
Aiden Markram has been one of the best players for his country in the last couple of years. Since the start of 2023, Markram has scored 1,200 runs at an average of 48 while striking at a rate of more than 100. However, the right-handed batter have suffered a poor slump against Afghanistan. In five games against them, the 30-year-old has scored 117 averaging only 39.
Marco Jansen is one of the most important players in the South African lineup. The tall left-arm pacer provides a great balance to the team thanks to his batting abilities. Since the start of 2023, Jansen has scored almost 450 runs at an average of 30. With the ball in hand, Jansen has took 39 wickets at an average of 29.8.
With injuries to many fast bowlers from different teams, Kagiso Rabada could very beel the best fast bowler in the tournament. He has been a regular wicket taker for the Proteas across formats. Since the start of 2023, the right-arm pacer has picked up 27 wickets at an average of 26.5. He has an economy of almost 5.2 runs per over which allows Rabada to control the flow of runs as well.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of the most exciting young players going around currently. The 23-year-old scored 531 runs in 11 ODIs in 2024. His average during the calendar year is 48.3 and a strike rate of almost 90. South Africa has been one of his favorite opponents. In four games against them, Gurbaz has scored 219 runs in four innings at an average of almost 55.
Mohammad Nabi is the most experienced player in Afghanistan’s squad. In spite of being the oldest player, Nabi is still a crucial part of the team. He is one of the in-form players coming into the game. In 2024, Nabi scored 410 runs and smashed only his second century in the format. With the ball in hand, the right-arm off-spinner took 10 wickets in the year including his maiden five-wicket haul.
Rashid Khan is a dangerous bowler thanks to his accurate lines and lengths. Along with his accuracy, Rashid bowls at a high pace which makes it extremely difficult for the batters to hit him. Rashid will have an important role to play if Afghanistan goes the distance in the Champions Trophy.
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