There is a lot of excitement in the Narendra Modi Stadium regarding the 13th match. t20 world cup 2026 2024 brings a high-stakes rematch of the semi-finalists to Ahmedabad. captain of afghanistan Rashid Khan Having won the toss, they have elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the early moisture on the red clay pitch. south african Top order. Afghans desperately needed a win to survive their defeat new zealandAnd with the Proteas looking to maintain their impressive start, the world’s largest cricket stadium is set for a tactical showdown between pace and spin.
SA vs AFG: Why is Corbyn Bosch missing the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Ahmedabad?
South Africa have made a tactical change for today’s clash against Afghanistan George Linde Return to XI in place of Corbin Bosch. The decision to keep the young all-rounder on the bench is not injury related, but a strategic move by the Proteas management to adapt to the conditions in Ahmedabad.
captain aiden markram The toss confirmed that the team chose an extra spinner in Linde to take advantage of the holding of red clay and counter Afghanistan’s spin-heavy middle order. Markram said that although he would have preferred to bowl first due to ‘precautionary’ moisture concerns, he was confident given the threat of the dual spin of Linde and Keshav Maharaj This will allow them to ‘squeeze’ the Afghan batsmen during the second innings, when the pitch is expected to be slower.
“We might have bowled first, there was a lot of humidity, but it wasn’t a bad thing to bat. We could put a good score on the board and chase it down after a while. We played well against Canada and had good workarounds. One change for us – we are playing an extra spinner in George Linde, he has replaced Corbyn Bosch.” Markram said.
Also read: Mitchell Marsh reveals why Tim David will miss Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener against Ireland
T20 World Cup 2026, SA vs AFG: A high-stakes reunion for last edition’s semi-finalists
The journey so far in the T20 World Cup 2026 has been an adverse one for both these sides. South Africa are coming into this match with high momentum after a comprehensive 57-run win CanadaWhere Markram’s half-century and record tournament total of 213/4 indicated their intention to go a step further from the 2024 runners-up. The Proteas look balanced and clinical with their pace battery Kagiso Rabada And lungi ngidi Firing with the middle order supported by ‘David Miller-Tristan Stubbs‘Engine room.
This match is like a virtual knockout for Afghanistan. After a heartbreaking five-wicket defeat new zealand In their opening Group D match, Rashid’s men find themselves in ‘must-win’ territory to keep their Super 8 dreams alive. Historically, the Proteas have been Afghanistan’s unstoppable force, winning all three of their last T20 encounters, including the infamous 56-run defeat in the last World Cup semi-final. With the game against Canada and united arab emirates Rest, the Afghans know that an upheaval in Ahmedabad today is necessary to avoid an early exit. For the winner, the path to the next round becomes a clear highway; For the loser, especially Afghanistan, the mathematics of qualification becomes almost impossible.
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