Sharjah Cricket Stadium (X)
The first-ever bilateral ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa is set to begin on September 18 in Sharjah. This series holds significant importance for both teams, with few ODI matches left in the run-up to the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025.
Afghanistan will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, while South Africa will continue under the leadership of Temba Bavuma.
Rashid Khan's return to the Afghanistan squad strengthens their bowling attack as they look to build on the momentum from their success at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Afghanistan, still in search of a permanent home venue, will play all matches in Sharjah after their recent Test match against New Zealand in Greater Noida was marred by weather conditions and sub-par facilities.
South Africa, meanwhile, have named a second-string squad, with several key players such as David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, and Heinrich Klaasen missing out. The future of Quinton de Kock also remains uncertain, with no contact from the wicketkeeper-batter since the T20 World Cup. Despite fielding a less-experienced squad, South Africa will be tested against Afghanistan’s strong spin attack.
This series promises to offer exciting contests, so ahead of the 1st ODI between Afghanistan and South Africa, let's take a look at the ground stats for Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
AFG Vs SA: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The upcoming match between Afghanistan and South Africa will be a historic moment for the Sharjah Cricket Stadium which will mark its 250th international match. Out of the 249 matches played here, teams batting first have had a slight advantage, winning 132 games, while teams chasing have won 115. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 364, and the lowest stands at 54.
Details | Information |
---|---|
Total Matches | 249 |
Matches won batting first | 132 (52.59%) |
Matches won batting second | 115 (45.82%) |
Highest team total | 364/7 (Pakistan Vs NZ) |
Lowest team total | 54 (India Vs SL) |
Average score batting first | 285/2 (Australia Vs PAK) |
Highest Run Chase Achieved | 224 |
The pitch at Sharjah is known to favor batters, especially with its small boundaries, making it a high-scoring venue. However, spinners might get some assistance due to the slow nature of the track.