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There is an atmosphere of excitement in Narendra Modi Stadium because T20 World Cup 2026 Match 13 brings a high-stakes replay between the 2024 semi-finalists in Ahmedabad. captain of afghanistan Rashid Khan won the toss and decided to bowl first, hoping to take advantage of the early moisture on the red clay pitch. South Africa Can trouble the top order. to afghanistan New Zealand In dire need of a win after the defeat against Australia, while the Proteas look to maintain their strong start, there is set to be a strategic clash between pace and spin in the world’s largest cricket stadium.

SA vs AFG: Why Corbin Bosch is out of T20 World Cup 2026 match in Ahmedabad

South Africa have made a single tactical change for today’s clash against Afghanistan, George Linde To Corbin Bosch Has been included in the XI in place of. The decision to bench the young all-rounder is not injury but is a strategic move by the Proteas management to acclimatise him to the conditions in Ahmedabad.

captain aiden markram confirmed at the time of the toss that the team had chosen an extra spinner in Linde to take advantage of the grip provided by the red clay and counter Afghanistan’s spin-heavy middle order. Markram said that while he would have preferred to bowl first out of ‘caution’, he is confident that Linde and Keshav Maharaj The dual spin threat will allow them to ‘press’ the Afghan batsmen in the second innings, when the pitch is expected to be slower.

“We would have also bowled first, there is a lot of humidity, but the batting is not bad either. We can put a good score on the board and put pressure later on and also chase it. We had a good game against Canada and came up with a good solution. One change for us – we are playing an extra spinner in George Linde, he replaces Corbin Bosch.” Markram said.

T20 World Cup 2026, SA vs AFG: A high-stakes reunion for last edition’s semi-finalists

The journey of these two teams in the T20 World Cup 2026 has been contrasting so far. South Africa are entering this match with high momentum, where they Canada Markram’s half-century and record tournament total of 213/4 reflected their intention to take a step up from the runners-up spot in 2024. The Proteas look balanced and efficient, their fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada And lungi ngidi together with ‘David Miller-Tristan StubbsWith the middle order supported by an engine room of ‘.

For Afghanistan, this match is a virtual knockout. In their first Group D match New Zealand After a heart-breaking five-wicket defeat against India, Rashid’s team are in ‘must win’ zone to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. Historically, the Proteas have been the Achilles’ heel for Afghanistan, having won all of their last three T20I encounters, including a dreadful 56-run defeat in the last World Cup semi-final. Canada and UAE With matches against, Afghanistan know that a reverse is necessary in Ahmedabad today 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 for qualification becomes almost impossible.