South Africa won the coin toss and opted to bat first in the initial one-day international match against Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday. Aiden Markram is leading the South African team in the absence of regular captain Temba Bavuma, who is out due to illness. Many of South Africa’s key players are either resting or participating in a T20 league in the West Indies. Jason Smith made his ODI debut to fill in for Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, while Reeza Hendricks is set to open the batting after a subpar T20 World Cup performance earlier in the year. Tristan Stubbs, known for his aggressive T20 batting, was placed at No. 4, marking his second ODI appearance.

Afghanistan, in their first bilateral ODI series against South Africa, faced some setbacks with Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman sidelined due to injuries. Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, expressed optimism about the pitch at Sharjah Cricket Stadium favoring spinners, indicating a preference to bat first. The dry wicket at the stadium, hosting its 250th ODI, is expected to provide support for the spin bowlers.

The team lineups are as follows:
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.