AFG vs SA Match Preview- ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Match 3

The third recreation of the continued ICC Champions Trophy 2025 shall 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 ends in their warm-up video games. Afghanistan performed two warm-up video games and ended up dropping each of them. They suffered a crushing 144-run loss by the hands of Pakistan Shaheens of their first warm-up recreation earlier than dropping the sport towards New Zealand by 2 wickets.

Alternatively, 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 shall be performed on Friday (February 21) on the Nationwide Stadium in Karachi. The match shall 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 largest threats for South Africa within the upcoming recreation shall be Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The opening batsman has impressed every person together with his consistency and likewise his means to carry out effectively towards all of the opposition. He was the very best run-scorer in final yr’s T20 World Cup and shall be eyeing an identical affect within the Champions Trophy as effectively.

South Africa shall be hoping that they eliminate Gurbaz as early as attainable. For that, they are going to be counting on their tempo spearhead Kagiso Rabada. Among the best quick bowlers on the planet, Rabada will look to provide his workforce a very good begin by dismissing the harmful Gurbaz.

Heinrich Klaasen vs Rashid Khan:

For Afghanistan, one in all their largest if not the largest menace within the recreation shall be Heinrich Klaasen. Whereas Afghanistan shall be relying closely on their spinners to counter South Africa’s batting, their ploy may backfire towards Klaasen.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is likely one of the greatest gamers of spin within the South African camp and has already proven his spin-playing means within the IPL.

Klaasen shall be batting when the spinners are more likely to function in tandem and he can spoil Afghanistan’s recreation plan together with his attacking batting. And to counter the Klaasen menace, Afghanistan shall be relying closely on their spin spearhead Rashid Khan who is likely one of the greatest spinners on the planet at current.

Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Keshav Maharaj:

Hashmatullah Shahidi shall be one other participant who can play a decisive position within the upcoming recreation. The Afghanistan captain shall be eager to guide his aspect 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 position to perfection and South Africa shall be effectively conscious of the menace posed by him. The Proteas shall be counting on their spinner Keshav Maharaj to include 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 predicted 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 shall be within the early 30s within the first half of the sport and can to the 20s after the solar units.

The pitch is predicted to be a belter. Batsmen are more likely to get pleasure from 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 shall be eager to win the sport to bolster their probabilities of qualifying for the semifinals.