The third match of the 2025 Champions Trophy will be between Afghanistan (AFG) and South Africa (SA). It will get started at 2:00 PM (local) and 2:30 (IST).
This will be the first match of Group B. The other two teams are England and Australia.
Afghanistan (AFG) Analysis:
This will be the very first time when Afghanistan will witness to play in the Champions Trophy. They looked more solid in the 50-over format as they won 8 out of the last 10 matches.
Under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi the team is achieving great heights. In the 2023 ODI World Cup Afghan team showed great performances by defeating big teams like Pakistan and England. Shahidi is showing decent performance with the bat and provided healthy runs in the middle.
Wicket-keeper of the team, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has a great performance against South Africa in the ODI series which was played in 2024 September. In that series he got 194 runs which included one century and one half-century. On the other hand his partner, Ibrahim Zadran is showing consistency with the bat in 50-over format where he averaged close to 49. Both of them added valuable runs towards the start of the innings.
Azmatullah Omarzai also scored a brilliant 86 runs against SA in the second match of the ODI series. Gulbadin Naib is known for his destruction towards the end and also assisted well in the bowling department.
In Karachi, spin friendly pitch will favour experienced Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmed. Rashid and Noor have the tendency to trouble the batters especially when the pitch offers more assistance to the spinners as the match progresses.
Probable Playing 11 of Afghanistan (AFG):
Hashmatullah Shahidi ©, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad.
South Africa (SA) Analysis:
Proteas might get an advantage by playing a tri-series recently which involved other two teams – Pakistan and New Zealand. They also played in Karachi due to which they can assess the pitch well.
Skipper Temba Bavuma scored brilliant 82 runs against Pakistan in Karachi and this performance is again expected as the upcoming match will be played in Karachi only. The African batting unit is more stabilized than their bowling.
Experienced Aiden Markram and David Miller will have an extra advantage. Miller already played 7 matches in the Champions Trophy where he scored 207 runs in 7 matches which includes 2 half-centuries. On the other hand, Markram will be playing his first ever Champions Trophy.
Heinrich Klaasen is in fine touch and is a powerful hitter in the death overs. In his last match in Karachi he scored 87 runs and might repeat the same performance again.
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will handle the spin department. Both of them were a little disappointed with his performance in the tri-series as they were little expensive with their spells but they might make a huge comeback as the pitch offers huge assistance to the slow bowlers.
Probable playing 11 of South Africa (SA):
Temba Bavuma ©, Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Pitch report of match between AFG vs SA:
The match will be played at international stadium, Karachi. After seeing the first match as the match progresses it will offer huge assistance to the slow bowlers. Still batting friendly surface is there and a high scoring match is expected. Chasing might be a great option here.
AFG vs SA head to head in Champions Trophy:
It will be the first ever match of Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy.
Weather Report:
The temperature is expected to be a little warm in the daytime as the temperature will touch 31 degree celsius. In the evening it will be a little cloudy. There is a very little chance of rain on the match day.
Best 11 for the Match between AFG vs SA:
Heinrich Klaasen, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rassie van der Dussen, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Aiden Markram, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Karachi stadium credits: wikipedia.com