Cricket

Afghanistan, seeking to clinch the series against South Africa, opted to bat first in the second ODI in Sharjah. The decision was likely influenced by the scorching heat, with temperatures reaching 49 degrees Celsius. By fielding at night, Afghanistan aimed to conserve energy and avoid the worst of the weather conditions.South Africa, on the other hand, made several changes to their lineup. Captain Temba Bavuma returned from illness, while debutant legspinner Nqaba Peter was included. Reeza Hendricks moved down the order to accommodate Bavuma, while Jason Smith was dropped. The bowling attack was also altered, with three seamers and two spinners replacing the four seamers and one spinner combination from the first match.Afghanistan, meanwhile, made only one change, bringing in wicketkeeper-batter Ikram Alikhil for Gulbadin Naib. Their lineup featured three frontline spinners in Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, and Nangyal Kharote, along with two seamers.

Afghanistan Eyes Historic Series Win in Second ODI Against South AfricaIn a historic first-ever bilateral series between Afghanistan and South Africa, the second ODI promises to be a thrilling encounter. After a resounding victory in the first match, Afghanistan is poised to secure a historic series win.Afghanistan's bowling attack, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan, proved devastating in the first ODI, reducing South Africa to a precarious 36/7. The Proteas' inexperienced side struggled to recover, eventually falling for 114.Afghanistan will be eager to replicate that performance and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. South Africa, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back and salvage some pride.The Proteas have a relatively young and inexperienced team, with several key players missing due to injuries. However, they will be hoping that their talented youngsters can step up and deliver.The match will be a crucial test for both teams. Afghanistan will be aiming to prove that their recent success is no fluke, while South Africa will be looking to show that they are still a force to be reckoned with.The second ODI is scheduled to take place at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on January 25, 2023. The match will start at 10:00 AM local time (08:00 AM GMT).

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates has etched its name in cricket history by becoming the first venue to host 250 One-Day International (ODI) matches. This remarkable milestone was achieved during the Afghanistan vs South Africa match on Wednesday, marking a significant chapter in the stadium's illustrious 42-year history.Established in 1982, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium has witnessed countless thrilling and memorable matches. It has been the stage for some of the most iconic moments in ODI cricket, including the first-ever ODI match in 1971. The stadium has also hosted numerous World Cup matches, further solidifying its status as a global cricket hub.Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe holds the second position with 182 ODI matches hosted, followed by Sydney Cricket Ground, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and R Premadasa Stadium with 161, 151, and 151 matches respectively.The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is also the home ground for Afghanistan's white-ball matches, adding to its significance in the cricketing landscape. In the match that marked the 250th ODI milestone, Afghanistan emerged victorious over South Africa by six wickets.Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and AM Ghazanfar, played a pivotal role in the victory, restricting South Africa to a mere 106 runs. The Afghan batters then chased down the target comfortably, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib guiding them to victory.The match also witnessed a dramatic collapse from South Africa, who lost seven wickets for just 36 runs. Left-arm quick Farooqi was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming four wickets, while Ghazanfar chipped in with three.The Sharjah Cricket Stadium's achievement is a testament to its enduring legacy in the sport of cricket. It has been a witness to countless cricketing battles and has played a significant role in the development of the game. As the stadium continues to host more matches, it is poised to create even more unforgettable moments in the years to come.

The highly anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida was unfortunately abandoned without a single ball being bowled over the five days. Persistent rainfall and an inadequate outfield prevented the umpires from starting the match even once.The stadium facilities faced criticism for their inability to prepare the surface for play despite a full day without rain. The match officials had no choice but to abandon the match completely on Friday, leaving both teams disappointed.Despite the lack of on-field action, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott revealed that his players remained active by hitting the gym in preparation for their upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE. "We tried getting a couple of gym sessions and making sure the players are really active and working hard," Trott said. "We've got a one-day series coming up against South Africa, so we've had an eye on that, making sure our players are ready for the next series."New Zealand head coach Gary Stead echoed Trott's sentiments, stating that his players engaged in hallway cricket in their hotel and had multiple gym sessions. "A lot of hallway cricket in the hotel. Lots of playing spin and things like that," Stead said. "This was the first of six Tests in Asia for us, so it's disappointing to lose the opportunity to be match-ready for our next Test match next week."The abandoned match highlights the challenges faced by cricket boards in organizing matches during the monsoon season in India. The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium's drainage system and outfield preparation came under scrutiny, raising questions about the suitability of the venue for international matches.Despite the disappointment, both Afghanistan and New Zealand will look to move forward and prepare for their upcoming series. Afghanistan will face South Africa in a one-day series in the UAE, while New Zealand will embark on a three-Test tour of India followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka.

New Zealand's Test match against Afghanistan was canceled due to persistent rain and outfield issues, leaving the team disappointed and without any match practice before their upcoming series against Sri Lanka and India. Head coach Gary Stead expressed frustration over the missed opportunity to acclimatize to subcontinent conditions.The one-off Test was not part of the World Test Championship, but Stead emphasized its importance to the team. "Test cricket is very, very dear to the team's hearts," he said. "Every Test you get to play in is a big one."Despite the cancellation, Stead praised Afghanistan's recent achievements in white-ball cricket, including their victory over New Zealand in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage. He welcomed the prospect of playing more Tests against Afghanistan in the future."Afghanistan have knocked just about every top team in the world over now," Stead said. "They're certainly a force and becoming more and more of a force in world cricket."New Zealand's remaining eight Tests in the World Test Championship cycle will be played in Asia, and Stead is confident in the team's ability to adapt to the conditions. "We've been there once in the past, and we are desperate to get there again," he said of the World Test Championship final."The conditions that we face in Galle will be, I'm sure, different to Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai when we come back here again," Stead added. "So it's still about adapting to the different surfaces."

Afghanistan's Test Match Against New Zealand Abandoned Due to Unplayable OutfieldThe one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida was abandoned without a ball bowled due to an unplayable outfield. Despite the first two days of the match being rain-free, the outfield remained too wet to ensure player safety.Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott expressed disappointment, stating that the players were eager to play and had trained well. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that venues are adequately prepared for Test matches, including proper drainage and ground staff.Trott acknowledged the hard work of the ground staff but noted that the excessive rainfall was unprecedented for this time of year. The overnight rain and early showers on the third and fourth days further worsened the ground conditions, making it impossible to play.Trott lamented the missed opportunity for Afghanistan to gain valuable experience against a higher-ranked side. He highlighted the potential of the pitch and the historic significance of the match for the Afghan players.Questions have been raised about the preparation of the ground, particularly the outfield. Trott attributed the issues to the time of year, but also acknowledged the need for improved facilities and more red-ball cricket to support the development of Afghanistan's Test side.Despite the disappointment, Trott remains optimistic about the future of Afghanistan's Test team. He believes that with proper support and investment, they can achieve similar success in the red-ball format as they have in white-ball cricket.

The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) has expressed its support for promoting women's cricket while acknowledging the upcoming ODI series between South Africa and Afghanistan in the UAE. Afghanistan remains the only ICC Full Member without a women's team due to severe restrictions imposed on women under the Taliban government.This bilateral series marks the first between the two nations and only the third time South Africa will play 50-over cricket against Afghanistan after facing them at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. These fixtures are not part of the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP) but have been added to provide more competitive opportunities for South Africa's teams.SACA welcomed these additions but expressed concern over the "deteriorating human rights for women under the Taliban rule." The association reiterated its support for promoting women's cricket globally."World Cricketers' Association and SACA do not condone any situation in which women's players are excluded from competing in our sport," said Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO and WCA board member. "Every athlete has the right to equality of opportunity, protected by international law and the Universal Declaration of Player Rights."SACA urged CSA to use its leverage during the series to highlight the importance of protecting and respecting the rights of Afghanistan's women's players.CSA is expected to remain silent on the statement but has participated in discussions regarding Afghanistan's situation as an ICC Member. The ICC continues to explore solutions, including the possibility of a refugee team based in Australia.The ICC is hesitant to ban Afghanistan's men's team, as it did with South Africa in 1970 due to racial Apartheid. The ACB cannot recognize a women's team due to the Taliban's stance on women. Concerns exist that forcing the issue could endanger lives.Despite Afghanistan's Full Member status, some countries have refused to play against them bilaterally. Australia has postponed two series against Afghanistan due to government concerns. South Africa has only faced Afghanistan in major events, including the recent T20 World Cup semi-final.South Africa's white-ball coach, Rob Walter, declined to comment on whether the team considered not playing against Afghanistan, deferring to Cricket South Africa.South Africa will play three ODIs against Afghanistan in Sharjah from next Wednesday, followed by two T20Is and three ODIs against Ireland in Abu Dhabi.

Afghanistan's spin wizard Rashid Khan is set to make a much-anticipated return to ODI cricket after a lengthy absence. The legspinner has been named in the 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against South Africa in the UAE, starting on September 18.Khan's return is a major boost for Afghanistan, who have been without his services since the World Cup last October-November. The 24-year-old underwent back surgery after the tournament and has since been restricted to T20 cricket.However, Afghanistan will still be without mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is still recovering from a finger injury. Wristspinner Noor Ahmad has also been left out of the squad. Chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil said offspinner AM Ghazanfar will cover for Mujeeb against South Africa.Despite the absence of Mujeeb and Noor, Rashid's return provides a significant boost to Afghanistan's bowling attack. The legspinner has been in impressive form in T20 cricket since his comeback, taking 20 wickets in 15 matches in the IPL, T20 World Cup, and MLC.Afghanistan have also called up uncapped medium-pace bowler Bilal Sami, and top-order batters Darwish Rasooli and Abdul Malik for the ODIs against South Africa. Rasooli has played seven T20Is, Malik has played two Tests, while Sami is yet to represent Afghanistan in any format.Malik has been called up as cover for the injured opening batter Ibrahim Zadran, who is ruled out with an ankle sprain.The three-match ODI series against South Africa will be Afghanistan's first bilateral ODI series against the Proteas. It will also serve as preparation for the Champions Trophy early next year, for which Afghanistan qualified by finishing sixth in the league stage of the 2023 World Cup.

Persistent rain has cast a shadow over the inaugural Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Complex near New Delhi. The relentless downpour has prevented any play for four consecutive days, leaving the fate of the match hanging in the balance.This Test marks a significant milestone for Afghanistan, as it is their first at their adopted home ground. However, the incessant rain has rendered the field unplayable, with umpires deeming it too wet for play after an inspection at the scheduled start time of 9:30 am local time. Even the toss has yet to take place.Afghanistan's Test debut has been marred by the weather, as this is only their 10th Test since gaining Test status in 2017. New Zealand, led by Tim Southee, are scheduled to embark on a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after the scheduled final day on Friday. They will then return to the subcontinent for three more Tests against India.Greater Noida is hosting its first Test match, but the venue has faced criticism for inadequate facilities, particularly its poor drainage system. Attempts to dry the field using hand-held electric fans earlier in the week proved futile due to the ongoing rain.Afghanistan, unable to host matches at home due to security concerns, have been using the Greater Noida ground for several T20Is and ODIs since 2017, thanks to an offer from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to use its facilities. However, the wet weather has exposed the venue's limitations in handling such conditions.The persistent rain has raised questions about the suitability of Greater Noida as a Test venue, especially during the monsoon season. The BCCI, which is responsible for the upkeep of the ground, will likely face scrutiny over the drainage system and other facilities.As the rain continues to pour, the hopes of a competitive Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand dwindle. The match is now in danger of being abandoned, which would be a disappointing outcome for both teams and the fans who have been eagerly anticipating this historic encounter.