Afghanistan vs South Africa Preview & Prediction | 2025 ICC Champions Trophy | Group Stage
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South Africa’s quest for that illusive first ICC major tournament title brings them to the Champions Trophy, where Afghanistan lie await first up.
Date & time: Friday 21st February 2025: USA PT – 1:00am / USA ET – 4:00am / UK – 9:00am
Venue: National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi, Pakistan
Weather: Dry and cloudy, albeit still very hot with sunny intervals as temperatures hover around 30c.
How to watch: USA – Willow TV / UK – Sky Sports & Sky Go
How to get tickets for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy: Click here for the latest ticket information for Afghanistan vs South Africa
Afghanistan Preview: Dark horses of the field
Afghanistan have the bowling attack capable of making a very deep run at the ICC Champions Trophy. But it will be the batting that really determines their fate. On the flat pitches of Pakistan, can they step up and back their bowlers with enough runs? That’s an answer we’re set to find out across the group stage and with only two teams going through, the pressure is on.
South Africa Preview: Taking that final step
South Africa simply cannot get over the line when it comes to lifting that first major trophy. Their last close call came at the 2024 T20 World Cup when they had the final in the palm of their hands before throwing it away against India. Their last Champions Trophy campaign back in 2017 saw the Proteas eliminated in the group stage after rain in their final group game washed away any chance they had of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Afghanistan Betting Analysis
As is usually the case with Afghanistan, all eyes will be on Rashid Khan and whilst they had far from being a one-man-team, Rashid remains their ace in the pack and even in 50-over cricket should prove a substantial wicket-taking threat with his spin-bowling. He could be targeted on the flat pitches in Pakistan, but this could work in his favour as it opens up the opportunity of wickets. Back Rashid to take over 1.5 scalps here.
South Africa Betting Analysis
One place where South Africa are well stocked is the batting. They’ve plenty of difference makers with the bat and none more so than Heinrich Klaasen, who brings true power-hitting menace to the Proteas’ middle order. His ability to clear the rope is notorious across the world and even in the longer format of white ball cricket, aggression remains Klaasen’s biggest weapon. Explore backing him to record the most 6s for South Africa in this match.
Afghanistan vs South Africa Expert Prediction
Whilst Afghanistan’s bowling unit is extremely dangerous, that threat could be mitigated somewhat by the expected conditions, which are likely to be extremely batter friendly. This favours South Africa, who bat deep and bat long, combining control with aggression when required. With that in mind, the smart play here is to back victory for Temba Bavuma’s side.
Afghanistan vs South Africa Top Tip: South Africa to win
