Afghanistan Predicted Playing 11 vs South Africa for Semifinal 1 of 2024 T20 World Cup
Afghanistan will lock horns with South Africa in the first semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup on Thursday, June 26. The contest will be played out at the Brain Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.
The Proteas, who are unbeaten in the competition so far, haven't been overly convincing. So Rashid Khan and Co. might be backing themselves to go even further in the tournament, after toppling a few giants in the first two stages.
Afghanistan haven't had a settled combination in the T20 World Cup, but after beating Bangladesh in a thrilling and morale-boosting fashion, they might not want to make any changes.
Afghanistan's squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Hazratullah Zazai.
On that note, here is Afghanistan's predicted playing XI for their 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal clash against South Africa.
Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are by far Afghanistan's highest run-getters at the 2024 T20 World Cup. While Gurbaz has been the more aggressive partner, Zadran has been happy to rotate strike.
The latter's approach could come back to bite the team on certain days, but the wicket in Trinidad isn't expected to be too conducive to shot-making. So Afghanistan could benefit from having an accumulator at the top of the order.
Gurbaz didn't field for most of the second innings against Bangladesh after copping a blow to the knee, but he should be fit for this encounter. If he isn't, Afghanistan might be forced to make multiple changes, with Hazratullah Zazai and Mohammad Ishaq coming in for Gurbaz and potentially Nangeyalia Kharote.
Middle Order: Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat
Afghanistan's middle order isn't the most convincing on paper. All-rounders Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat are expected to be the men to feature, with Najibullah Zadran having lost his place in the side.
Changes are unlikely in this department due to a lack of capable options on the bench. The experienced players in the lineup will need to step up.
Lower Order: Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Nangeyalia Kharote hasn't had much to do in the 2024 T20 World Cup, but Afghanistan could use an additional spinner in Trinidad. The rest of the bowling lineup picks itself.
Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq will be the premier pacers, with Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad providing control and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs.