Afghanistan vs South Africa: Clash of Titans in Karachi – Probable XIs, Head-to-Head, Pitch & Weather Report
The excitement continues in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as Group B action heats up with an intriguing clash between Afghanistan and South Africa on Friday at the National Stadium, Karachi.
Both teams come into the match with high hopes — the Proteas, led by Temba Bavuma, will look to maintain their consistency, while Afghanistan, known as the tournament’s dark horses, aim to create another upset on the big stage.
Form Guide – AFG vs SA
South Africa had a mixed build-up to the tournament, suffering defeats against New Zealand and Pakistan in the tri-series. However, their powerful batting line-up remains a threat.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, arrive in Karachi on a high, having defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in a three-match ODI series and clinching a 1-0 victory in a two-match Test series. With strong performances in the ODI World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup, they are determined to carry their momentum into their first-ever Champions Trophy appearance.
Match Details:
Match: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Champions Trophy 2025, Match 3
Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
Date & Time: Friday | Toss at 2:00 PM IST | Match starts at 2:30 PM IST
Team News & Key Players:
Afghanistan:
Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead a determined Afghan side aiming to make a mark in their Champions Trophy debut.
Rashid Khan, the spin wizard, will play a crucial role on Karachi’s batting-friendly surface. He is just 2 wickets away from completing 200 ODI wickets — a major milestone in his career.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will be vital at the top of the order to counter South Africa’s pace attack.
South Africa:
The Proteas will bank on their experienced batsmen to tackle Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack.
David Miller is just 10 runs shy of completing 4500 ODI runs, while Rassie van der Dussen needs 36 runs to reach 2500 ODI runs — both will be key figures in the middle order.
Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi will lead the bowling attack, with Rabada expected to exploit the pace-friendly conditions.
Probable Playing XIs:
Afghanistan:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi
South Africa:
Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
Head-to-Head Record in ODIs:
Total Matches Played: 5
South Africa Wins: 3
Afghanistan Wins: 2
While the Proteas hold a slight edge in the head-to-head, Afghanistan’s recent form and fearless approach make this contest an exciting watch.
Karachi Pitch & Weather Report:
Pitch Report: The National Stadium in Karachi has been a paradise for batsmen, with recent matches witnessing high-scoring thrillers. The pitch is expected to be flat and hard, offering true bounce and pace, making it ideal for stroke play. Bowlers will need to rely on variations and reverse swing to make an impact.
Weather Forecast: Fans can expect perfect cricketing weather — clear skies with temperatures around 30°C during the day, dipping to 20°C in the evening. Importantly, there’s no chance of rain, ensuring a full game.
What to Expect:
With Afghanistan’s spin arsenal ready to test South Africa’s batting depth, and the Proteas’ power-packed line-up keen to dominate, this promises to be a cracking contest. Will the Afghans pull off another famous upset, or will the Proteas stamp their authority? All eyes will be on Karachi as cricket fans gear up for a high-octane battle!
