AFG vs SA Match Prediction: Who Will Win Match 3? ICC Champions Trophy 2025

South Africa and Afghanistan will be facing each other in the third game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The game is scheduled to be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday (February 21).

South Africa will have their task cut out against Afghanistan as they look to bounce back after a string of poor results in ODIs in recent times. They were whitewashed by Pakistan in the three-match ODI series at home a few weeks ago and recently lost both games in the ODI tri-series.

South Africa also lost the ODI series against Afghanistan in September last year and will need to come up with a special display to win the upcoming game.

On the other hand, Afghanistan will look to continue their fine run in the game in recent times. After impressing in the 2023 World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup, they will look to do well in the Champions Trophy too.

With both South Africa and Afghanistan now set for the game, we are taking a look at all the predictions for the match.

AFG vs SA Match Prediction: Who Will Win Match 3? ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Match Details

Match: AFG vs SA, match 3

Date: February 21, 2025

Time: 02:30 PM IST

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Live streaming: JioStar

Live broadcast: Star Sports, Sports18

AFG vs SA Match Prediction—Head-to-Head Record

South Africa and Afghanistan have played only 5 ODIs against each other so far. Of those 5 games, South Africa have won 3 while Afghanistan have won 2. While Afghanistan have won the only ODI series between the two teams so far, they are yet to beat the Proteas in an ICC competition.

Total ODI Matches Played: 5

Afghanistan Won: 2

South Africa Won: 3

Last 5 Matches: Afghanistan- 2 wins | South Africa - 3 wins

Pitch Report & Conditions

Batting-Friendly: The National Stadium in Karachi is expected to have a batting-friendly surface. Earlier this month, Pakistan chased down a huge total of 353 runs at the same venue against South Africa in the ODI tri-series.

Even in the final of the same series, New Zealand chased down 243 runs against Pakistan with ease. So, the batsmen are expected to enjoy their time out at the National Stadium in Karachi once again.

Average 1st Innings Score: 246 - The average first innings total at the venue is 246 runs. However, in recent games, teams have scored 300-plus totals regularly.

Chasing Record:

Chasing teams have won more games than teams batting first at the venue. Of the 56 ODIs hosted by the venue so far, chasing teams have won 28 times while teams batting first have won 26 times.

Weather Report

There is no forecast of rain in Karachi when the AFG vs SA match takes place. The temperature will be hovering in the early 30s during the first half of the game and will drop into the 20s once the sun goes down.

AFG vs SA Match Prediction - Afghanistan and New Zealand Probable XIs

Afghanistan Playing 11:

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 Playing 11:

Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi

Form and Fitness

Neither of the two teams have any major injury concerns ahead of the upcoming game.

Score Prediction

AFG vs SA Players to perform prediction

AFG: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Rashid Khan will be the key players for Afghanistan.

SA: Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, and Kagiso Rabada will be the key players for South Africa.

AFG vs SA Best Batsman Prediction

Who will score the most runs for AFG in the match: Rahmanullah Gurbaz or Rahmat Shah

Who will score the most runs for SA in the match: Temba Bavuma or Heinrich Klaasen

AFG vs SA Best Bowler Prediction

Who will pick the most wickets for AFG in the match: Rashid Khan or Noor Ahmad

Who will pick the most wickets for SA in the match: Kagiso Rabada or Marco Jansen

Conclusion: Who will win the match?

While Afghanistan have done well in recent times and also won an ODI series against South Africa last year, a full-strength South Africa will still be regarded as favorite for the upcoming game.

So, South Africa are expected to win the game against Afghanistan and start their campaign with a win.