South Africa tour of UAE 2024 (white-ball series against Afghanistan and Ireland)

[BouncerGuy]

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are pleased to announce a historic three-match One-Day International (ODI) series between the Proteas Men and Afghanistan from 18 - 22 September in the United Arab Emirates.

The ODI series is the first-ever bilateral series between the two sides with all three matches set to be hosted by ACB at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

South Africa has faced Afghanistan on two occasions in 50-over cricket during the last two ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups in 2019 and 2023.

This series will mark their first encounter since South Africa defeated Afghanistan in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Trinidad and Tobago last month.

CSA Chairman Lawson Naidoo commented: “We are excited to embark on this historic ODI series with Afghanistan, who have become a very competitive all-round team as evidenced by their recent performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and most recently at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This is a significant milestone in our cricketing relations, and we look forward to a competitive and entertaining series”

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf added: “These fixtures were not initially part of our FTP. Still, based on our productive negotiations with our counterparts at Cricket South Africa, we concluded that we will host the Proteas for an ODI series in September. They are an excellent team, and we are eagerly looking forward to hosting them and playing them regularly in the future.”

Fixtures:

Wednesday, 18 September

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Friday, 20 September

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sunday, 22 September

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE​

 

[sweep_shot]

First ever bilateral series between Afghanistan and South Africa.

Looking forward to it.

Sharjah tends to be sluggish. Afghanistan are favorites.

 

[FearlessRoar]

White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today announced the squads for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan and the proceeding white-ball tour against Ireland, which get underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month

Hollywoodbets Dolphins all-rounder Jason Smith and DP World Lions spinner Nqaba Peter, who are both capped in T20 Internationals (T20I), have earned their maiden ODI call-ups.

Dolphins all-rounder Andile Simelane will gain exposure to the national set-up for the first time after being named in both the ODI squad against Afghanistan and T20I side against Ireland. The 21-year-old, identified as a high-potential talent, was part of the SA Emerging tour of Zimbabwe in August and most recently represented South Africa A in the one-day series against Sri Lanka A.

Proteas seamer Lungi Ngidi has recovered from his right calf injury and has been named in all three squads.

The Proteas will face Afghanistan in three ODIs from 18 - 22 September at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, before heading to Abu Dhabi for two T20Is on 27 and 29 September and three ODIs from 02 - 07 October against Ireland. All five matches will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

Commenting on the selection of the squads, Walter said: “We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months.

“This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027.

“There is no doubt that tours such as these offers us this unique opportunity to provide players with international exposure in differing conditions compared to what they are used to.

“I am particularly looking forward to seeing how some of the more experienced players step up, whilst keeping a close eye on who can grab this opportunity and become more regular within the national set-up.”

South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland

Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

The squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan will depart for the UAE on Saturday, 14 September.

Fixtures (all times local)

ODI series against Afghanistan

Wednesday, 18 September at 16:00

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Friday, 20 September at 16:00

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sunday, 22 September at 16:00

Afghanistan vs South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

White-ball Tour against Ireland

T20I Series

Friday, 27 September at 19:30

Ireland vs South Africa - Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Sunday, 29 September at 19:30

Ireland vs South Africa - Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

ODI Series

Wednesday, 02 October at 15:30

Ireland vs South Africa - Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Friday, 04 October at 15:30

Ireland vs South Africa - Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Monday, 07 October at 15:30

Ireland vs South Africa - Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE

 

[FearlessRoar]

ACB Name Squad for the South Africa ODIs​

Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee today finalized the Afghanistan National Team’s Squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to be played from September 18 to 22 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE.

Afghanistan will be without the services of the prolific top-order batter Ibrahim Zadran who has been ruled out of the series due to an ankle sprain in his left leg. The AfghanAtalan Lineup will continue to miss the expertise of its frontline spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is yet to fully recover from a right phalanx sprain.

Talented right-hand top-order batter Abdul Malik, who recently put on some incredible performances in domestic List A competitions, has been called up to cover for the injured Ibrahim Zadran. Darwish Rasooli, who has 7 T20I caps to his name so far and has put on terrific consistent performances in the recently held List A Cup and the SCL9, has been called up to the national for the South Africa Series.

AfghanAtalan lineup will also have the services of its all-time greatest spinner Rashid Khan, who missed the previous ODI series against Ireland. The rest of the squad remains the same that helped Afghanistan win the 3-match ODI series 2-nill against Ireland back in March this year.

ACB CEO Mr. Naseeb Khan: “Hosting South Africa for the first time in our cricketing history is a huge milestone for Afghanistan Cricket. They are a top-quality side, and playing against them in an ODI series is something we are all excited about.”

“Our team has shown great performances in ICC events over the past two-three years, and we are focused on making our team equally competitive in bilateral cricket.” He added

ACB Chief Selector Mr. Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil: "Mujeeb Ur Rahman continues to recover from his injury and is unavailable for selection. Ibrahim Zadran will also miss the South Africa ODIs for twisting his ankle on the edge of the New Zealand Test. However, we have included some of the top-performing youngsters in Abdul Malik and Darwish Rasooli. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is also a talented cricketer and has demonstrated excellent skills recently and will cover for Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the series.”

Afghanistan Squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.

Etisalat Afghanistan Telecommunication Company holds the title sponsorship rights, while Super Cola Beverages Manufacturing Company is the Powered By sponsor and Kymco is named the co-sponsor for Afghanistan’s three-match home ODI series against South Africa.

Series Schedule:

Date	Match	Venue
18th September, 2024	1st ODI	Sharjah
18th September, 2024	2nd ODI	Sharjah
18th September, 2024	3rd ODI	Sharjah

 

[FearlessRoar]

Ireland Men’s squads announced for South Africa series

The sides will play three ODIs and two T20Is

The national selectors have named Ireland Men’s white-ball squads for the multi-format series taking place in Abu Dhabi starting in late September.

This series marks the return to white-ball cricket for the senior men’s team after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies back in June.

The fixtures are as follows:

27 September 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (1st T20I; Abu Dhabi; start 4.30pm)
29 September 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (2nd T20I; Abu Dhabi; start 4.30pm)
2 October 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (1st ODI; Abu Dhabi; start 12.30pm)
4 October 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (2nd ODI; Abu Dhabi; start 12.30pm)
7 October 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (3rd ODI; Abu Dhabi; start 12.30pm)

THE SQUADS

Ireland Men’s ODI squad:

Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

Ireland Men’s T20I squad:

Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Graham Hume, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

National selector, Andrew White on the squads selected:

“2026 and 2027 are pivotal years for our white-ball squads – those years being the next T20 and 50-over World Cups respectively. Given their timeframes, it means we are looking at this upcoming series against South Africa as the start of a new cycle. With that in mind, there are a number of selections and playing combinations that we will look at – albeit a number of uncapped players that were actively being considered – such as Morgan Topping and Liam McCarthy – who are still nursing injuries at present and were not able to be considered.

“One area we will explore on this tour is the top order in our T20 squad. We’ll be looking at introducing a new dynamic, with Andrew Balbirnie sitting out the T20Is on this occasion. There are only two T20Is in the upcoming series, but they will offer important opportunities as we try to increase our levels of performance again. Andrew remains very much central to our thoughts and will open the batting in the ODIs.

‘The Ireland Emerging and Wolves tours over the last 18 months have been invaluable to the players but also in terms of our succession planning. We need to deepen our pool of international cricketers and for the likes of Gavin Hoey, he will come into the international arena with greater confidence following his involvement in such fixtures and this is hugely important. The volume of international fixtures leading into 2027 is exciting and there will be opportunities for players to make their mark.’