AFG v SA: Who will win?

Afghanistan powered to their first-ever win over South Africa in the ODI format in the first match of the series earlier this week. While South Africa are not at full strength, it was an encounter they would have expected to win. They were bamboozled by the variations from teenage spin sensation AM Ghazanfar, a finger spinner who turns the ball both ways, and were at one point 36-7. Afghanistan initially wobbled in the chase, but crossed the finish line easily in the end, with six wickets and 24 overs to spare. 

Despite this result, South Africa remain firm favourites for the second ODI. Winning the series would be a huge moment for Afghanistan, who currently only have bilateral series wins in the format over Ireland, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh of full members. Nevertheless their margin of victory in the first ODI suggests that a bet on them at 2.4 return on every pound betted on Stake could give a good return.

AFG v SA: Who will be the side with the top batter?

Batting is where South Africa's strength lies. Their stand-in captain for the first match Aiden Markram has had an incredible 18 months in the format, scoring well over 1,000 runs. They also boast exciting young guns in Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi, as well as the experience of Reeza Hendricks. Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hashmatullah Shahidi make up their best batting bets, with 24-year-old Azmatullah Omarzai also enjoying a stellar last 18 months in the format. 

Nevertheless, Temba Bavuma will be back for the second ODI and is backed at a 3.95 return on ever pound betted with Stake to top score. Markram is similarly backed at a 3.9 return. Gurbaz is the only Afghanistan batter who compares, also backed at a 3.9 return.

AFG v SA: Who will be the side with the top bowler?

Afghanistan's bowlers starred in the opening match of the series, and with pitches leaning so much towards spin in Sharjah, which will host the whole series, that looks likely to continue. They will be ideal conditions for Rashid Khan, who took two wickets in the first ODI, but don't discount Fazalhaq Farooqi, who took four wickets in the match including three in the powerplay in that match. South Africa are also without their premier spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, who are missing the series to play in the CPL, and are relying on Bjorn Fortuin and Markram to fill in spin duties.

With this in mind, backing Rashid to be the top bowler of the match would give a 2.7 return on every pound betted with Stake, with Farooqi giving a 3.7 return and Ghazanfar at 5.4.

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