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Afghanistan vs South Africa ODI Predictions - Rickelton can bat Proteas to victory

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 20 Feb 2025

John Eastwood 20 Feb 2025

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South Africa struggles with recent ODI losses; seeks comeback.
Afghanistan shows improved form with three consecutive ODI wins.
Key players to watch: Ryan Rickelton and Rahamnullah Gurbaz.

Expired

Ryan Rickelton to score big for South Africa (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs South Africa Preview

South Africa are favourites and if Karachi offers up another flat pitch, I can't see Afghanistan pulling this one off. I'm backing big runs to be scored in the match, particularly by Ryan Rickelton.

Afghanistan vs South Africa Preview
Head to Head
Afghanistan Form
Afghanistan Injuries & Team News
South Africa Form
South Africa Injuries & Team News

Afghanistan have won 2 of their last 3 ODIs against South Africa.
Afghanistan have won their last 3 ODI matches.
Afghanistan’s Rahamnullah Gurbaz scored 110 runs in his last match.
South Africa have lost their last 5 ODI matches.
South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton has been in great form of late.

Head to Head

South Africa have won three of their last five ODIs against Afghanistan. They played a three-match series in 2024 which Afghanistan won 2-1. South Africa won the last game.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan have won their last three completed ODI matches and are certainly a growing threat in tournaments such as the ICC Champions Trophy.

While Afghanistan have improved over the years to compete in foreign conditions, their ability to dominate games in the sub-continent has been there for a while. If there is any slowness or turn in Karachi on Friday, Afghanistan are certainly in with a shout.

Afghanistan Injuries & Team News

Afghanistan have a very solid side with a number of world class players. None more so that Rashid Khan.

South Africa Form

South Africa are in atrocious ODI form having lost their last five games. That includes a 3-0 series loss at home to Pakistan.

In their two warm-up games, the Proteas didn’t do too badly, scoring 300+ against New Zealand and Pakistan, however, they lost both fixtures. It must be added that South Africa were missing the majority of their first choice players.

Going into this opener, South Africa will be very wary of the threats Afghanistan pose. Given the composition of the group, they cannot afford to lose this encounter.

South Africa Injuries & Team News

Temba Bavuma captains the side and will hope to find some good form. Ryan Rickelton is another at the top of the order that can cause some serious damage while the middle order and bowling department looks very strong, too.

Verdict

Afghanistan v South Africa

I am backing Ryan Rickelton and Rahamnullah Gurbaz to score runs for their respective teams.

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