Afghanistan Makes Champions Trophy Debut Against South Africa
KARACHI – Afghanistan is set to make its ICC Champions Trophy debut today, facing South Africa at Karachi’s National Stadium in a thrilling Group Stage encounter.
The match will begin at 2 PM Pakistan Time, and the two teams will be eyeing the early win so that they can put themselves in a good position to make it to the semi-finals.
Afghanistan vs South Africa: Team Form & Tournament Goals
Both South Africa and Afghanistan have been in decent white-ball cricket shape in recent years. Yet neither of the sides has claimed an ICC major title, so this tournament is a vital chance for them to shatter that trend.
South Africa was the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 runner-up and made it to the semi-finals. Likewise, Afghanistan also made history as they were the first team ever to make it to the final four of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
As both teams are aiming for qualification to the Champions Trophy semi-finals, the first game win will be crucial.
Key Players to Watch
Both teams have well-balanced teams with strong batting orders and wrecking bowlers who can turn the game in their direction. South Africa’s pace bowling, led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, will be challenged by Afghanistan’s batters. Afghanistan’s spin attack, headed by Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, can trouble South African batters on the Karachi track.
Full AFG vs SA Squads
Afghanistan Squad
Captain: Hashmatullah Shahidi
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz,
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmat Shah
- Ikram Alikhil,
- Gulbadin Naib
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Nangyal Kharoti,
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi,
- Farid Malik
- Naveed Zadran
Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
South Africa Squad
Captain: Temba Bavuma
- Tony de Zorzi
- Marco Jansen
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- David Miller
- Wiaan Mulder
- Lungi Ngidi
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tabraiz Shamsi
- Tristan Stubbs
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Corbin Bosch
Travelling Reserve: Kwena Maphaka
Match Information
Event: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Fixture: South Africa vs Afghanistan
Date: Feb 21, 2025
Ground: National Stadium, Karachi
Time: 2 PM Pakistan Time
Conclusion
Stakes being as high as this with competitive sides at play, the match between South Africa and Afghanistan will be no doubt an interesting encounter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The two sides will seek to begin the campaign on a winning note in their bid to hope for semi-final qualification.
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