ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Yasir Arafat ditches Pakistan, joins South Africa's coaching staff
Published - 08 Feb 2025, 02:58 PM | Updated - 08 Feb 2025, 02:59 PM
The Cricket South Africa (CSA) has made changes to their coaching staff ahead of the tri-series against New Zealand and Pakistan. Former Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat has been roped in as the bowling consultant for the ODI series, which serves as preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Yasir Arafat played in three Test matches, 11 ODIs, and 13 T20Is for Pakistan between 2000 and 2012. His last ODI was against Australia on May 3, 2009. Arafat also completed his ECB Level 4 coaching course at Loughborough University, becoming the first Pakistan Test cricketer to achieve this qualification.
Yasir Arafat Joins South Africa’s Coaching Staff Ahead of Tri-Series in Pakistan
Yasir Arafat arrived in Lahore from London to join South Africa’s training camp ahead of their first match of the series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium on February 10, as per Geo News.
Arafat has gained experience as a bowling coach for several county teams, including Sussex and Surrey. He has worked with the Big Bash League franchise, the Perth Scorchers. The former cricketer also served as Pakistan's High-Performance Coach and the bowling coach for the Hong Kong national team.
The Tri-Nation ODI Series Set to Take Place from February 8 to 14
The tri-nation ODI series, featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa, will take place from February 8 to 14. Matches will be held at the newly built Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Pakistan is set to face New Zealand in the first game at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
New Zealand will face South Africa on Monday, February 10, at Gaddafi Stadium, with the match set to start at 9:30 AM PST. Following two matches, the tournament moves to Karachi, where Pakistan will play South Africa in a day-night match at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday, February 12.
The final of the ODI series between the top two teams will be played on Friday, February 14. This series serves as preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19 in Karachi, where hosts Pakistan will face New Zealand.
Temba Bavuma's Team Set to Commence Champions Trophy Campaign on February 21
The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B includes England, South Africa, Afghanistan, and Australia. The semifinals will take place on March 4 and 5, with the final scheduled for March 9.
Temba Bavuma-led team will begin their tournament on February 21 against Afghanistan at the National Stadium in Karachi. They will then face Australia on February 25 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium before concluding their group stage with a match against England on March 1 in Karachi.
South Africa won the inaugural edition of the Champions Trophy in 1998, which was held in Bangladesh. This victory remains the Proteas' only ICC event win across all formats.
