THE EDGE: The Edge previews the Cricket World Cup clash between AFGHANISTAN v SOUTH AFRICA with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Afghanistan v South Africa
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Cricket World Cup group stage is drawing to a close on BETDAQ Betting Exchange with just three days left. Friday sees Afghanistan take on South Africa, and this is a must win game for Afghanistan. At the time of writing, we don’t know the result between New Zealand and Sri Lanka as they meet on Thursday – but Afghanistan basically need New Zealand and Pakistan to lose while winning here. Their net run rate is much worse than New Zealand and Pakistan, and it’s hard to see them hammering South Africa so much here that the net run rate changes massively.
That being said, even to get to this stage is a massively achievement for Afghanistan. They have performed much better than England for example, and that is to their massive credit. The general feeling coming into this tournament was that their best days were behind them, but they’ve proven that wrong anyway! For South Africa, they can’t achieve anything here. They had a four point cushion over New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan heading into the final round of fixtures, and neither South Africa or Australia can catch India too. That means South Africa already know they will meet Australia in the Semi-Finals next week at Eden Gardens.
It might be interesting to see so South Africa rest any players here; however obviously that is limited by tournament squads etc. Usually we’d probably see a second XI if South Africa played Afghanistan in an ODI series but not here. To be honest, I wouldn’t change anything heading into a World Cup Semi-Final. Afghanistan should know what they need to do after the New Zealand game, so we see a very attacking game plan here!
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
This is the last game at Ahmedabad before we come back here for the Final next Sunday. This is the last chance to get a view of conditions, but it will be a fresh wicket for the Final I’m sure! We have had some very high scoring T20 International’s here since it became the biggest cricket stadium in the world, but that hasn’t been the case at this tournament. The first inning scores have been 282/9 (chased), 191 all out (chased) and 286 all out (won). England lost both games here, and to be honest they have played to a very low standard in this tournament so I would have a reasonably open mind about conditions here.
RECOMMENDED BET:
These situations are always interesting. Afghanistan will be looking at net run rate should New Zealand win on Thursday, and they will have no choice but to attack. Winning small just won’t cut it, and then South Africa basically have nothing to play for. It will be fascinating to see how things play out; South Africa can play a very attacking game too. We could either have a massive score or a collapse type situation. I feel given the situation Afghanistan are worth a small bet at 3.9 or bigger. They have played great cricket lately, and would have beaten Australia earlier in the week if not for Glenn Maxwell playing the greatest ODI innings of all time. They have a better chance than the odds suggest in my opinion.
The Edge Says:
One point win Afghanistan to beat South Africa at 3.9 with Betdaq Exchange.
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/AfgSou
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I think the best advice here is to wait and see the result of New Zealand v Sri Lanka on Thursday before forming an in-running strategy. Afghanistan will know what is required after that game, and they will base their tactics off that. They should need a massive win in fairness, so it will have to be all out attack. That will bring drama and market movements. So far batting hasn’t been easy first here; only England failed to chase so the side who bowls first might have a little edge.
