Afghanistan vs South Africa – Champions Trophy 2025 Showdown on February 21: Match Preview, Prediction & Live Streaming Details

Introduction

Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the Afghanistan vs. South Africa clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February 21 at the National Stadium in Karachi. This encounter promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams aiming to make a strong start in the tournament.

Match Details

Fixture: Afghanistan vs. South Africa – ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Date: February 21, 2025

Venue: National Stadium, Karachi

Time: 2:30 PM IST (Toss at 2:00 PM IST)

Head-to-Head Overview

Historically, South Africa has held an edge over Afghanistan in One Day Internationals (ODIs). However, recent encounters suggest a narrowing gap between the two sides.

Key Players to Watch

Afghanistan:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz: The dynamic opener has been in scintillating form, with a notable century against South Africa in their last series.

Rashid Khan: Celebrating his birthday with a five-wicket haul in the previous encounter, Rashid remains Afghanistan's premier spin threat.

Azmatullah Omarzai: A versatile all-rounder, Omarzai's contributions with both bat and ball have been pivotal in Afghanistan's recent successes.

South Africa:

Aiden Markram: With a composed unbeaten 69 in the last ODI against Afghanistan, Markram anchors the Proteas' batting lineup.

Kagiso Rabada: Returning to bolster the bowling attack, Rabada's pace and accuracy are crucial for South Africa's success.

Temba Bavuma: The captain emphasizes disciplined bowling, especially on batter-friendly pitches, and leads by example with his strategic acumen.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The National Stadium in Karachi is traditionally a batting-friendly venue, with recent matches witnessing high scores. Teams batting first often post totals in the range of 270-300. Fast bowlers might find some assistance with the new ball, while spinners could play a significant role as the match progresses. Weather forecasts indicate clear skies with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C, ensuring ideal conditions for cricket.

Live Streaming and Broadcast Information

Television: The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports and Sports 18 channels.

Online Streaming: Fans can stream the match live on JioHotstar.

Predicted Playing XIs

Afghanistan:

1. Ibrahim Zadran

2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)

3. Rahmat Shah

4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)

5. Azmatullah Omarzai

6. Mohammad Nabi

7. Gulbadin Naib

8. Rashid Khan

9. Noor Ahmad

10. Fazalhaq Farooqi

11. Farid Malik

South Africa:

1. Temba Bavuma (c)

2. Tony de Zorzi

3. Aiden Markram

4. Rassie van der Dussen

5. Heinrich Klaasen

6. David Miller

7. Marco Jansen

8. Keshav Maharaj

9. Lungi Ngidi

10. Kagiso Rabada

11. Tabraiz Shamsi

Conclusion

The upcoming match between Afghanistan and South Africa is poised to be a captivating contest, reflecting Afghanistan's meteoric rise in international cricket and South Africa's determination to reassert their dominance. Cricket aficionados should mark their calendars for February 21, 2025, to witness this exciting encounter.