South African cricket captain Temba Bavuma has been sidelined due to illness, forcing him to miss the opening One-Day International (ODI) against Afghanistan.
The match, set for Wednesday, September 18th, 2024, will be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates. In Bavuma’s absence, Aiden Markram will take on the role of stand-in captain for the Proteas, a crucial leadership responsibility in this important series.
This ODI series against Afghanistan holds particular significance as it marks the first bilateral encounter between the two nations outside of ICC tournaments.
Their most recent clash came during the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, adding extra excitement and anticipation to this face-off.
Afghanistan, a rising force in international cricket, will be eager to prove their mettle against a strong South African side, while the Proteas will aim to maintain their dominance despite the absence of their regular captain.
Aiden Markram, a seasoned cricketer and former U-19 World Cup-winning captain, is no stranger to leadership roles. He will look to guide his team to a strong start in this series.
Markram’s batting form and tactical acumen will be critical as South Africa aims to outplay Afghanistan in Sharjah’s challenging conditions.
Following this three-match series against Afghanistan, South Africa will shift its focus to a series against Ireland, also to be played in the UAE. The Proteas will face Ireland in both T20Is and ODIs in Abu Dhabi, marking a busy and demanding period for the team.
For South Africa, these matches form part of their preparation for upcoming global tournaments, providing opportunities to fine-tune their strategy and give key players time in the middle.
Here’s the full schedule for South Africa’s upcoming fixtures:
South Africa vs Afghanistan ODI Series
Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 – Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday, September 20th, 2024 – Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Sunday, September 22nd, 2024 – Sharjah Cricket Stadium
South Africa vs Ireland T20I Series
Friday, September 27th, 2024 – Abu Dhabi
Sunday, September 29th, 2024 – Abu Dhabi
South Africa vs Ireland ODI Series
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 – Abu Dhabi
Friday, October 4th, 2024 – Abu Dhabi
Monday, October 7th, 2024 – Abu Dhabi
