The third recreation of the continued ICC Champions Trophy 2025 might be performed between Afghanistan and South Africa. The sport is scheduled to be performed on the Nationwide Stadium in Karachi on Friday (February 21).
Each groups are coming into this recreation on the again of contrasting leads to their warm-up video games. Afghanistan performed two warm-up video games and ended up shedding each of them. They suffered a crushing 144-run loss by the hands of Pakistan Shaheens of their first warm-up recreation earlier than shedding the sport towards New Zealand by 2 wickets.
Then again, South Africa beat Pakistan Shaheens by 3 wickets to get some much-needed momentum forward of the event. In order South Africa and Afghanistan gear up for his or her event opener, right here is the AFG vs SA match preview.
AFG vs SA Match Preview- ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Match 3:
AFG vs SA Date and Venue:
The upcoming AFG vs SA match might be performed on Friday (February 21) on the Nationwide Stadium in Karachi. The match might be performed from 02:30 PM (IST).
Squads:
Afghanistan:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 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:
Temba Bavuma (c), 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
AFG vs SA key battles:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Kagiso Rabada:
One of many greatest threats for South Africa within the upcoming recreation might be Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The opening batsman has impressed every one together with his consistency and likewise his capacity to carry out effectively towards all of the opposition. He was the best run-scorer in final yr’s T20 World Cup and might be eyeing the same impression within the Champions Trophy as effectively.
South Africa might be hoping that they eliminate Gurbaz as early as doable. For that, they are going to be counting on their tempo spearhead Kagiso Rabada. Among the finest quick bowlers on the planet, Rabada will look to provide his workforce a great begin by dismissing the harmful Gurbaz.
Heinrich Klaasen vs Rashid Khan:
For Afghanistan, considered one of their greatest if not the most important risk within the recreation might be Heinrich Klaasen. Whereas Afghanistan might be relying closely on their spinners to counter South Africa’s batting, their ploy might backfire towards Klaasen.
The wicketkeeper-batsman is without doubt one of the greatest gamers of spin within the South African camp and has already proven his spin-playing capacity within the IPL.
Klaasen might be batting when the spinners are prone to function in tandem and he can spoil Afghanistan’s recreation plan together with his attacking batting. And to counter the Klaasen risk, Afghanistan might be relying closely on their spin spearhead Rashid Khan who is without doubt one of the greatest spinners on the planet at current.
Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Keshav Maharaj:
Hashmatullah Shahidi might be one other participant who can play a decisive function within the upcoming recreation. The Afghanistan captain might be eager to guide his facet from the entrance. Not very way back, he scored a double century towards Zimbabwe and just lately scored 40 within the warm-up recreation towards New Zealand.
Shahidi can play the anchor function to perfection and South Africa might be effectively conscious of the risk posed by him. The Proteas might be counting on their spinner Keshav Maharaj to comprise the Afghanistan captain.
AFG vs SA Key Gamers
AFG: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rashid Khan would be the key gamers for Afghanistan.
SA: Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, and Kagiso Rabada would be the key gamers for South Africa.
AFG vs SA Climate And Pitch Report:
The climate is anticipated to be clear in Karachi when Afghanistan and South Africa tackle one another. There isn’t a prediction of rain within the metropolis on the sport day. The temperature might be within the early 30s within the first half of the sport and can to the 20s after the solar units.
The pitch is anticipated to be a belter. Batsmen are prone to take pleasure in their time whereas bowlers are unlikely to get an excessive amount of help.
Conclusion:
With England and Australia being the opposite two groups within the group, South Africa and Afghanistan can’t afford a loss within the upcoming recreation. Each groups might be eager to win the sport to bolster their probabilities of qualifying for the semifinals.
