Afghanistan and South Africa are facing off in the third match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi. South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, with Temba Bavuma leading the team. Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, is looking to continue their impressive rise in white-ball cricket. The match is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams having a strong lineup of players. South Africa's powerful batting lineup makes them strong contenders for the title, despite inconsistent recent performances. Afghanistan, fresh off impressive showings in the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup, aims to pull off upsets and make their mark in the tournament.
The South African team is without Heinrich Klaasen, who has been rested due to a left elbow injury scare. Ryan Rickelton is keeping wickets for South Africa, while Tony de Zorzi and Temba Bavuma are the opening batsmen. Afghanistan's bowling attack is led by Rashid Khan, who is known for his spin bowling skills. The team also includes other experienced players like Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai. The match is being played on a pitch that is expected to favor the batsmen, with a fast outfield and a flat surface.
The first few overs of the match saw South Africa getting off to a steady start, with Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton scoring runs at a good pace. However, Afghanistan's bowlers were able to keep the runs in check, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi bowling tight spells. As the match progressed, South Africa's batsmen began to take control, with Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton scoring boundaries and taking the team's score past the 100-run mark.
Afghanistan's team is a mix of experienced and young players, with a good balance of batsmen and bowlers. The team has been performing well in recent matches, and will be looking to continue their winning streak in the Champions Trophy. South Africa, on the other hand, has a more experienced team, with players like Temba Bavuma and David Miller having played in many international matches. The team will be looking to use their experience to their advantage and win the match.
Here are the details of the match: Afghanistan vs South Africa, Champions Trophy 2025, Match No 3, National Stadium, Karachi. The match started at 2:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 2 PM IST. The live updates of the match are available on various sports websites and channels, including Star Sports and Sports18. The match is expected to be a thrilling one, with both teams giving their best to win. The fans are eagerly waiting to see which team will emerge victorious in the end.
