ICC World Cup 2023 | SA vs AFG: Proteas dominate early innings

South Africa cricket team celebrating a wicket during the match (Pic: AFP)

After the dismissals of the openers, Rahmat Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi entered the ground. But this time, the Proteas did not give much time to the Afghan skipper to settle down. Shahidi edged Maharaj's delivery in the hands of Quinton de Kock. The Proteas' bowlers are keeping the situation tight for their opponents from the beginning. Keshav Maharaj already registered two wickets to his name at the end of the 15th over.

Afghanistan's innings was totally shattered after the captain's wicket. Azmatullah Omarzai joined Rahmat Shah to guide their team to a fighting total. No Afghan batters are able to score runs against South Africa's fierce bowling.

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Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran started the innings in a decent way but were later dismissed by Keshav Maharaj and Gerald Coetzee, respectively. Afghans are struggling to score runs in their must-win match against South Africa.

Shahidi's side needs to defeat South Africa by more than 438 runs to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023.

South Africa lead pacer Kagiso Rabada is playing his 100th ODI match.

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and decided to bat against South Africa in their must-win ICC World Cup 2023 match here on Friday.

Squad changes:

The Proteas have brought in Andile Phehlukwayo and Gerald Coetzee in place of Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen, who have been rested.

Squads:

South Africa Squad:

Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen.

Afghanistan squad:

Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq.