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

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

Both teams are coming into this game on the back of contrasting results in their warm-up games. Afghanistan played two warm-up games and ended up losing both of them. They suffered a crushing 144-run loss at the hands of Pakistan Shaheens in their first warm-up game before losing the game against New Zealand by 2 wickets.

On the other hand, South Africa beat Pakistan Shaheens by 3 wickets to get some much-needed momentum ahead of the tournament. So as South Africa and Afghanistan gear up for their tournament opener, 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 will be played on Friday (February 21) at the National Stadium in Karachi. The match will be played 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 the biggest threats for South Africa in the upcoming game will be Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The opening batsman has impressed one and all with his consistency and also his ability to perform well against all the opposition. He was the highest run-scorer in last year's T20 World Cup and will be eyeing a similar impact in the Champions Trophy as well.

South Africa will be hoping that they get rid of Gurbaz as early as possible. For that, they will be relying on their pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada. One of the best fast bowlers in the world, Rabada will look to give his team a good start by dismissing the dangerous Gurbaz.

Heinrich Klaasen vs Rashid Khan:

For Afghanistan, one of their biggest if not the biggest threat in the game will be Heinrich Klaasen. While Afghanistan will be relying heavily on their spinners to counter South Africa's batting, their ploy could backfire against Klaasen.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is one of the best players of spin in the South African camp and has already shown his spin-playing ability in the IPL.

Klaasen will be batting when the spinners are likely to operate in tandem and he can spoil Afghanistan's game plan with his attacking batting. And to counter the Klaasen threat, Afghanistan will be relying heavily on their spin spearhead Rashid Khan who is one of the best spinners in the world at present.

Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Keshav Maharaj:

Hashmatullah Shahidi will be another player who can play a decisive role in the upcoming game. The Afghanistan captain will be keen to lead his side from the front. Not very long ago, he scored a double century against Zimbabwe and recently scored 40 in the warm-up game against New Zealand.

Shahidi can play the anchor role to perfection and South Africa will be well aware of the threat posed by him. The Proteas will be relying on their spinner Keshav Maharaj to contain the Afghanistan captain.

AFG vs SA Key Players

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 Weather And Pitch Report:

The weather is expected to be clear in Karachi when Afghanistan and South Africa take on each other. There is no prediction of rain in the city on the game day. The temperature will be in the early 30s in the first half of the game and will to the 20s after the sun sets.

The pitch is expected to be a belter. Batsmen are likely to enjoy their time while bowlers are unlikely to get too much assistance.

Conclusion:

With England and Australia being the other two teams in the group, South Africa and Afghanistan cannot afford a loss in the upcoming game. Both teams will be keen to win the game to bolster their chances of qualifying for the semifinals.