South Africa (315/6) defeat Afghanistan (208) comprehensively by 107 runs to start their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a high

[FearlessRoar]

Group B of the Champions Trophy kicks off with Afghanistan facing South Africa in Karachi. Afghanistan, making their tournament debut, enter with strong form, having impressed in the 2023 ODI World Cup and winning four of their last five bilateral series. South Africa, despite a shaky ODI record since the last World Cup, boast experience and firepower.

The contest highlights Afghanistan’s spin attack against South Africa’s middle-order strength. With Karachi’s high-scoring conditions, a thrilling clash is expected. Off-field, Afghanistan’s participation remains a topic of debate, but on-field, they aim to make history against a side still chasing its second title.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Warning:

All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:

1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.

2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.

3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.

4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Hashmatullah Shahidi in pre-match press conference:

"Between 2019 and now there's too much difference and just recently we beat them [South Africa] in Sharjah - 2-1 - so we have that confidence with us and we are not under pressure anyway."

"Because right now we are focusing what we can do in this tournament and I believe that our team is more ready for this tournament and we are focusing on our own team. There is no pressure on us."

"First of all, about people here - there are a lot of Afghans."

"They live here in Karachi and in Pakistan and also a lot of Pashtun people, I think, they support us. So yeah, yesterday there was a lot of crowds shouting for us [during training] and it feels good and it give us confidence that we have supporters here and about our performance."

"We are doing very good and, in this tournament, we are here to compete here and our aim is to win the final."

"We are not here just to participate here in this tournament. We are definitely 100% looking to win this event and at the same time because we played a lot of quality cricket from last two years and it's a good chance for us because the boys are very experienced and these conditions are also suitable for us. So we have a good chance and let's start it from tomorrow and hopefully we start with the win and we go with the same momentum throughout the tournament."

"I have answered this in Pashto but let me say it again because in media I heard a lot from other countries that they [Afghanistan] don't have facilities, they don't have stadiums, they don't have academies. It's totally wrong."

"We have good facilities. We have cricket academies. We have High Performance Centre in Kabul and Jalalabad and also, we have stadiums in every zone of Afghanistan. So, we have the facilities to call a team to come to Afghanistan but in our country there were some security issues that's why other countries are not coming but hopefully soon, as soon as possible, one of the countries will come to Afghanistan and you will see the crowd also."

"When we play domestic cricket, it's fully packed. Even people wait outside the stadium and try to come and watch the domestic game, like more than 50,000, 40,000 or 30,000 people coming for the finals of an event. I know that if any team come to Afghanistan, there will be like thousands of people, fans come and arrive to the stadium because there is a lot of craze for cricket. There are a lot of people who love cricket. So hopefully that day comes and hopefully it comes soon."

 

[Kianig89]

If the wicket is dry it's, 50-50 a good contest on cards

 

[Human786]

would love to see AFG do well .

 

[sweep_shot]

SA are favorites.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Afghanistan can take them down. Karachi has shown enough assistance for Spinners.

This can get ugly for South Africa if Afghanistan bowls 2nd and Klaasen gets out early.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Afghans don't have a quality 2nd mystery spinner. No Mujeeb or Ghazanfar. Kharote is not a patch on those guys.

Afghan chances are very slim. Not sure they can win a single match.

 

[Devadwal]

Afghans don't have a quality 2nd mystery spinner. No Mujeeb or Ghazanfar. Kharote is not a patch on those guys.

Afghan chances are very slim. Not sure they can win a single match.

Noor Ahmed is not in This team?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Noor Ahmed is not in This team?

He's not that good in ODIs.

 

[jamie smith]

bro kharote is quality

 

[jamie smith]

backing afg to win this one

 

[Cricket Warrior]

backing afg to win this one

yeah SA cant handle this spin burst from Afghanistan... its 70-30 in the favour of Afghanistan

 

[BouncerGuy]

This clash is going to be one hell of a game. Afghanistan is pretty under-rated but they have some serious bowling strength.

For Proteas, Klassen is gonna be very important.

 

[mominsaigol]

Noor Ahmed is not in This team?

He is, But he won't play, he'll sit on the bench. Kharote will play ahead of him.

 

[Justcrazy]

SA will win a close game.

 

[jamie smith]

both are gonna play.

He is, But he won't play, he'll sit on the bench. Kharote will play ahead of him.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

bro kharote is quality

Has only played at Sharjah. But yeah he should start ahead of Noor imo

 

[MenInG]

Will be interesting to see the support AFG get in Pakistan - I hope there is lots.

 

[Bhaijaan]

I’m here to support my Pathan brothers.

Always remember Khuda Gawah bro.

Changing my DP today in honour of the legendary Baadhshah Khan & Benazir

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Will be interesting to see the support AFG get in Pakistan - I hope there is lots.

I think they will get plenty of support in Pakistan because of the sizeable Afghan and Pashtun population in the country.

 

[Devadwal]

Supporting afghanistan. Hoping for a good match .

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Grassy pitch and it's rock hard

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Noor Ahmad has been in horrible form lately in ODI. They should play Kharote over him.

 

[Vikram1989]

So pak is kindly reminding afg about t20 wc semis

 

[Bhaijaan]

@thelandofthebravepeople

Good luck brother

Let’s go!

 

[jamie smith]

Afg win incoming.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Keep them below 250 brothers. Bring it home.

 

[Hellion]

Ha. Grass and a hard surface with cracks on it. Pitch prepared by Pakistanis just to screw Afghanistan .

Batting and pace will matter here. Spin won't play much role.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Klaasen is a big miss for South Africa today considering his prowess against spin.

 

[BouncerGuy]

South Africa have won the toss and have opted to bat

Teams:

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad

South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton(w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

 

[Devadwal]

Klaasen is a big miss for South Africa today considering his prowess against spin.

Im backing Afghanistan to win this match

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Im backing Afghanistan to win this match

I think South Africa will still win.

If they were chasing I would have given the edge to Afghanistan.

 

[Bhaijaan]

To Kabul with Love from Sur-Zameen-e-Hindustan

Nan da Africayanow pa wrosta, khpal estedad zhara kra,
Da Hind zra dar sara de, sta bria roshana kra.
Da yawala da lobe nede, da zmoong wyaar de,
Da yawali, mohabat aw akhlas da shakli laar de.

 

[Devadwal]

How is the pitch? Flat or help for Spinners?

I think South Africa will still win.

If they were chasing I would have given the edge to Afghanistan.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

How is the pitch? Flat or help for Spinners?

It's a flat pitch, but spinners will have a role to play in the middle-overs.

The grass they've added is just to lull the pacers into a false sense of security.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

No crowd. The stadium is 95% empty. Not good look for Pakistan.

 

[Rana]

Beautiful SA kit

 

[baba ghazi]

i like hashmatullah shaidi optimism.. he expects team to visit afghanistan to play series..good luck with that

 

[baba ghazi]

No crowd. The stadium is 95% empty. Not good look for Pakistan.

ground was not full for pakistan match ..expecting to be completely empty for neutral games

 

[Rana]

i like hashmatullah shaidi optimism.. he expects team to visit afghanistan to play series..good luck with that

Which team will visit? pakistan?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

i like hashmatullah shaidi optimism.. he expects team to visit afghanistan to play series..good luck with that

Yeah, not happening

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Not sure why South Africa chose to bat first.

 

[Bhaijaan]

No crowd. The stadium is 95% empty. Not good look for Pakistan.

Where the Pathan brothers at

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Omarzai has to be the best seam-bowling all-rounder in the world in white-ball after Pandya.

 

[Ahmed216]

India
NZ
South Africa (if they miraculously overcome their propensity to choke)

Only 3 contenders for the trophy

 

[RidiculousMan]

Omarzai has to be the best seam-bowling all-rounder in the world in white-ball after Pandya.

I'm so pleased that Afghanistan have been developing him so well.

Pakistan have had a few Omarzai and Pandya type all rounder potential players. But they never gave them proper chance with the ball and bat in proper positions.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Not sure why South Africa chose to bat first.

Because they are scared of chasing

 

[Devadwal]

India
NZ
South Africa (if they miraculously overcome their propensity to choke)

Only 3 contenders for the trophy

After next game everyone will talking about England. They are Very good team

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Omarzai has to be the best seam-bowling all-rounder in the world in white-ball after Pandya.

I rate him higher currently because Pandya is not consistent in ODIs. He hasn't played the format a whole lot since 2023.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Because they are scared of chasing

Yeah but in this surface with their tall bowlers, they can wreak havoc on any batting lineup.

 

[Human786]

Why is Breetzke not in SA squad ? anyone ...

 

[Nikhil_cric]

In PAK-NZ match there was a difference in the way the surface reacted from either end and NZ exploited in the first 10 with O Rourke and Henry.

 

[Human786]

Because they are scared of chasing

stupid decision imo ... fancy SAF getting 280-290 ?

 

[Rana]

Why is Breetzke not in SA squad ? anyone ...

Stupid decision to keep him out

He would have been in the squad if he were a coloured player. It doesn’t create an issue for them in the quota management this way

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I rate him higher currently because Pandya is not consistent in ODIs. He hasn't played the format a whole lot since 2023.

On current form he is the best, but Pandya has achieved much more and is still a far bigger player.

 

[Ahmed216]

After next game everyone will talking about England. They are Very good team

We know how poor England are against spin.

India NZ SA only 3 sides with good spinners.

India huge favorites.

 

[Human786]

Stupid decision to keep him out

He would have been in the squad if he were a coloured player. It doesn’t create an issue for them in the quota management this way

UTTER STUPIDITY ! 20/0 in 4

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

stupid decision imo ... fancy SAF getting 280-290 ?

You have to understand that even if its the flattest pancake pitch and they are playing against minnows, they will struggle chasing because they have a mental block. We saw this in the World Cup too when they lost to Netherlands. Even against Pakistan in Chennai they made a game out of 200 odd.

But yes, I can see South Africa getting to around that total.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

To Kabul with Love from Sur-Zameen-e-Hindustan

Nan da Africayanow pa wrosta, khpal estedad zhara kra,
Da Hind zra dar sara de, sta bria roshana kra.
Da yawala da lobe nede, da zmoong wyaar de,
Da yawali, mohabat aw akhlas da shakli laar de.

Dramey toh dekho kattar sanatani ke.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Stupid decision to keep him out

He would have been in the squad if he were a coloured player. It doesn’t create an issue for them in the quota management this way

He can easily come in for RVD.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Yeah but in this surface with their tall bowlers, they can wreak havoc on any batting lineup.

Don't read too much into the grass cover. That is usually just to lull the pacers into a false sense of security. It's still a flat pitch.

 

[Major]

Is this really necessary in this game thread ....

Who cares? relax

 

[Rana]

He can easily come in for RVD.

Realistically he comes in for one of Zorzi or Bavuma

RVD is a big player for these conditions

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Which team will visit? pakistan?

India should visit Afghanistan.

 

[Rana]

Rickleton is such a gun!

Love this player man

 

[Human786]

28/0 in 5

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Don't read too much into the grass cover. That is usually just to lull the pacers into a false sense of security. It's still a flat pitch.

Not the grass. That's to keep the pitch from going out but those cracks on a good length look ominous

 

[Rana]

India should visit Afghanistan.

Kabul express tour

 

[Human786]

outtttttttttttttttttttt

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Zorzi gone

 

[jamie smith]

Who has selected both de zorzi and rickelton in their team today.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Realistically he comes in for one of Zorzi or Bavuma

RVD is a big player for these conditions

RVD's record in the last 2 years has been quite poor.

Averaging 29 with the bat since Feb 2023 and also he's 36 years old.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Love it. Couldn't have asked for a better start for my fantasy team.

 

[Rana]

Terrible pick DeZorzi

Horrendous player of spin

 

[Rana]

RVD's record in the last 2 years has been quite poor.

Averaging 29 with the bat since Feb 2023 and also he's 36 years old.

But he has the experience through PSL on these tracks, and he’s been a good player here. It’s a correct choice for these conditions

 

[Nikhil_cric]

But he has the experience through PSL on these tracks, and he’s been a good player here. It’s a correct choice for these conditions

Let's see. I'm not convinced by anyone in this Saffer lineup, yet. Even Markram has been out of form lately.

 

[Rana]

Let's see. I'm not convinced by anyone in this Saffer lineup, yet. Even Markram has been out of form lately.

Markram terrible starter against spin

He has no confidence against spin early on. Once he gets in he is a class player

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Bavuma and RVD, have also been weak against off spin . Nabi can bowl a pretty long spell here.

 

[Rana]

If you want to talk about preparation,

SA actually prepared spin friendly tracks in the lead up to the CT at home. Seems like a deliberate ploy. The tracks against Pakistan were not the traditional fast, extra bounce tracks that we usually see in SA. Also the SAT20 was very spin friendly this season.

Their batters should be up for this challenge

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The evergreen Nabi doesn't get enough credit for what he has achieved, and continues to achieve.

He has been there for the very start of Afghanistan's cricket and has not only seen it all but also played a massive role in their evolution.