The Narendra Modi Stadium is buzzing with depth as Match 13 of the T20 World Cup 2026 brings a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 semi-finalists to Ahmedabad. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has gained the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to make use of the early moisture on the red-soil pitch to rattle the South African high order. With the Afghans desperately needing a win to remain alive after their loss to New Zealand, and the Proteas trying to preserve their dominant begin, the world’s largest cricket stadium is ready for a tactical showdown between tempo and spin.
SA vs AFG: Why Corbin Bosch is lacking the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Ahmedabad
South Africa have made a single, tactical change for immediately’s conflict in opposition to Afghanistan, with George Linde returning to the XI rather than Corbin Bosch. The choice to bench the younger all-rounder will not be injury-related however a strategic transfer by the Proteas administration to adapt to the Ahmedabad circumstances.
Captain Aiden Markram confirmed on the toss that the workforce opted for an additional spinner in Linde to take advantage of the grip supplied by the pink soil and to counter Afghanistan’s spin-heavy center order. Markram famous that whereas they’d have most well-liked to bowl first as a result of ‘precautionary’ moisture considerations, they’re assured that having the twin spin risk of Linde and Keshav Maharaj will permit them to ‘squeeze’ the Afghan batters in the course of the second innings when the pitch is anticipated to decelerate.
“We’d have bowled first as effectively, fairly a little bit of moisture, however not a nasty factor to bat. We will get a superb rating on the board and squeeze a bit later and chase it as effectively. We had a superb sport in opposition to Canada and had a pleasant workaround. One change for us – we’re enjoying the additional spinner in George Linde, he replaces Corbin Bosch.” Markram mentioned.
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T20 World Cup 2026, SA vs AFG: A high-stakes reunion for the earlier version semi-finalists
The journey by way of the T20 World Cup 2026 has been contrasting for these two sides up to now. South Africa enter this match with excessive momentum after a complete 57-run victory over Canada, the place Markram’s half-century and a document event complete of 213/4 signaled their intent to go one step additional than their 2024 runner-up end. The Proteas seem balanced and medical, with their tempo battery of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi firing alongside a center order anchored by the ‘David Miller-Tristan Stubbs‘ engine room.
For Afghanistan, this match is a digital knockout. After a heartbreaking five-wicket loss to New Zealand of their opening Group D fixture, Rashid’s males discover themselves in a ‘must-win’ territory to maintain their Tremendous 8 desires alive. Traditionally, the Proteas have been Afghanistan’s Achilles’ heel, successful all three of their earlier T20I encounters, together with the notorious 56-run demolition within the final World Cup semi-final. With video games in opposition to Canada and UAE remaining, the Afghans know that an upset immediately in Ahmedabad is crucial to keep away from an early exit. For the winner, the trail to the following spherical turns into a transparent freeway; for the loser, particularly Afghanistan, the maths for qualification turns into almost unattainable.
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