Cardiff stages its last match in the Cricket World Cup on Saturday afternoon when South Africa take on Afghanistan in a massive clash for both sides in the later fixture of the two to be played over the course of the day.
Both teams have made poor starts to the tournament and are pretty much drinking at the last chance saloon as far as their hopes of making it into the knockout stages are concerned so expect a competitive match here.
AllSportsBetting Podcast
Kev and Steve are back with their offerings on both of Saturday’s matches in the one podcast There are bets and full previews of both games in the latest edition which you can hear by clicking the play button on the video below!
Afghanistan
I would imagine Afghanistan will be disappointed with their start to their campaign. I say that because they would have come here with high hopes of offering something to the event but they have been overwhelmed in two of their three matches and faltered with the winning line available to them in the other one. They have played a match less than everyone else but realistically they need five wins from six in order to progress and I’m not even sure anyone inside their camp would believe that is possible.
It will be the batting which will have disappointed the Afghans the most. They just haven’t been able to get going with the willow. They rely on their openers cutting loose but at this level with the pitches the way they have been that hasn’t been possible and then that has given their bowlers little to work with which is not an ideal combination by any means.
South Africa
I think the most disappointing team in the tournament so far have been South Africa without a doubt. Not only have they lost three matches and had another rained off but if we are being brutally honest, they haven’t looked like winning one. They have been well beaten in all three completed matches and they were heading the same way against the West Indies last time out before the rain came then.
That all means South Africa have to win their last five matches to have any hope of making it into the semi-finals and with Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan to come that is not going to be easy. Not only do they need a win here but they need a big win as their run rate is already poor. If that is to happen then their batting is going to have to turn up and deliver the goods in style.
Team News
Afghanistan are hoping to have Rashid Khan available after he has had time to recover from the blow to the head he took in the loss to New Zealand. Dawlat Zadran is having his fitness assessed ahead of the match.
South Africa have to decide whether to play Aiden Markram or JP Duminy with the favourable selection likely to be Markram. Beuran Hendricks is now in the squad and could play but the match might come too soon for Lungi Ngidi.
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Betting
It remains to be seen just how much of a match we have here. I say that because rain is forecast in Cardiff overnight and goes right up until lunchtime but then it stops completely so as long as the outfield hasn’t taken too much of a drenching we should get some action even if it is only a shortened game.
That might play into the hands of Afghanistan has it goes. Their batsmen can play with a bit more freedom in a shortened match which is exactly what they want to do and the overs their spinners bowl will have even more of an impact in a reduced match. South Africa won’t want Afghanistan to build up confidence in a 20-25 over type game knowing that the Proteas must win here so there could be a lot going for Afghanistan. I think the Afghans can go out and have some fun here. They’ll know with the games they have to come qualifying is a pipedream now so they’ll just hope to take a scalp or two with them. They could well claim their first one here. I’m not saying they will win but there is a scenario where they can win and at 13/2 I’ll have a small bet to see.
You would think if South Africa are going to win the game then Kagiso Rabada will be a key man for them with the ball. South Africa don’t need Hazratullah Zazai getting away from them early doors else this could be a day to forget for the Proteas so Rabada will go hard at him. With conditions potentially going against Imran Tahir and the other bowlers in this South African attack being nothing special I’ll side with Rabada to leave the wicket taking for Faf’s men.
Tips
Back Afghanistan to beat South Africa for a 1/10 stake at 7.50 with 888sport
Back them here:
Back K.Rabada Top South Africa Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 3.75 with Bet365
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