Six interesting stats and facts about South Africa and Afghanistan’s limited-overs record, ahead of Saturday’s World Cup clash at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales.
Maiden ODI meeting
- Saturday will bring South Africa and Afghanistan’s first meeting in ODI cricket. They have contested two T20Is – in 2010 and 2016. The Proteas won both. Seamers Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada and leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who are part of the current World Cup squad, starred in the last win in 2016 in Mumbai.
Proteas in Wales
- The Proteas have been involved in five ODIs at the Rose Bowl – and won just one. But the collection features two washouts and a tie, with the West Indies in 2013. That was South Africa’s last ODI at this venue, leaving Saturday to end a six-year hiatus.
Afghans’ Cardiff jaunt
- Afghanistan’s only ODI at the Welsh ground was less than two weeks ago when they threatened, but ultimately lost to Sri Lanka. Spinner Mohammad Nabi proved effective en route to a four-for in defeat, while batsman Najibullah Zadran struck a late-order 43.
11-strong Amla
- Proteas batsman Hashim Amla has collected a century against 11 ODI nations. One against Afghanistan would complete an attractive dozen. He has played two ODIs against Kenya and one against the United Arab Emirates, but remains without a ton.
Dominant Zadran
- Zadran is Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer at this World Cup – and has more than the Proteas’ Tahir, David Miller, Aiden Markram or JP Duminy. He also has more than all-rounders Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo. Only top-order batsmen Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis have more.
Rashid’s record
- Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has played almost two-thirds of 62 ODIs against Zimbabwe or Ireland. That’s a lot of cricket against minnow nations, but he has taken 22 wickets against top-tier teams such as Sri Lanka, West Indies, India, Australia and Pakistan.
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