Proteas to widen the net for 2027 against Afghans

Independent Newspapers take a closer look at five key players.

Rashid Khan - Afghanistan

The superstar of Afghan cricket makes his much-anticipated return to ODI’s since last year’s World Cup in India due to a back injury. Rashid is the catalyst around everything in Afghanistan cricket revolves around and his mere presence will be a major uplifting factor for his teammates.

Lungi Ngidi - South Africa

In the absence of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetze, Ngidi will take on the mantle of the leader of the Proteas attack. After struggling with injuries of late, the experienced seamer will want to show that he still possesses the ability that made him a regular across formats for the national team not such a long while ago.

AM Ghazanfar - Afghanistan

In the absence of the injured Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and overlooked Noor Ahmed, the Afghan selectors have unleashed the teenage mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar. The 18-year-old was seen earlier this year in South Africa when he bamboozled the Junior Proteas in the series leading up to the ICC U19 World Cup before taking the youth tournament by storm. Ghazanfar utilises his height to perfection as he manages to create bounce from the most placid surfaces, while he also sends down his deliveries at good pace that doesn’t allow the batters to get to the pitch of the ball.

Andile Phehlukwayo - South Africa

The forgotten man of Proteas cricket remains on the periphery of the national team despite making his debut almost a decade ago now. There, however, seemed to be a resurgence last season, when in particular against the Afghans at the World Cup, Phehlukwayo showed that he still has the ability to close out matches at the death with the bat. With white-ball coach Rob Walter placing an emphasis on casting the net wide in his search for all-rounders leading into the home 2027 World Cup, now is the time for Phehlukwayo to deliver performances with both bat and ball to ensure he remains at the top of the queue.

Fazalhaq Farooqi - Afghanistan

The left-arm quick, who can swing the ball both ways at pace, was outstanding with the new ball at the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the US and Caribbean where he finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Farooqi will certainly provide a stern test for the Proteas top-order and how they negotiate him could be key to the outcome of the series.

Kyle Verreyenne - South Africa

With Quinton de Kock officially retired from ODI’s and Heinrich Klaasen still on some personal time off, the Proteas’ wicket-keeping berth in 50-overs cricket is open to takers. Verreynne is the Test incumbent behind the stumps, but he has shown, particularly domestically, that he is forced to be reckoned with in limited overs cricket too. With Ryan Rickleton also in the squad, and auditioning for the same role, Verreynne will hope to put some daylight between himself and his competitors with some outstanding performances in the UAE.