Afghanistan potential top four favorites? They did exceptionally well on slow pitches in the T20 World Cup in Dubai. They got to the top four their and are relatively unscathed by injury barring the loss of AM Ghazanfar. Their line-up has played probably the most ODI Cricket among teams in the recent past, and are very well settled. The spinners too are well equipped to make statements on the Pakistan tracks. South Africa though start potential favorites themselves. They are the ones who brought Afghanistan back to earth in the T20 World Cup, blowing Afghanistan away in the Semi-Finals. Afghanistan will want revenge and they know they have the line-up for that.

AFG vs SA Match Details

Date: February 21st, 2025

Time:  2:30 PM IST

Venue: Karachi

Afghanistan vs South Africa Weather Report

Clear weather and a nice evening is expected for the game.

Afghanistan vs South Africa Pitch Report

Average Score Batting First in the last five games: 302

Average Score Batting Second in the last five games: 268

Wins Batting First in the last five games: 3

Wins Batting Second in the last five games: 2

Karachi has helped with spin but runs were put up effortlessly in the first innings of the tournament opener. The ball seems to be coming onto the bat well early on. Batting first remains a better choice with runs on the board a nice cushion in ODI Cricket.

Afghanistan vs South Africa Head to Head

Stats	Matches	Afghanistan Won	South Africa Won	NR	Tie
Overall	5	2	3	0	0
At Karachi	0	0	0	0	0
Last Five ODIs	5	2	3	7	0

 

AFG vs SA Predicted Playing XI

AFG Playing XI

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Fareed Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi

SA Playing XI

Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickleton, Aiden Markaram. Tristin Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller. Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi 

See Also: RCBW vs MIW Dream11 Prediction

Afghanistan vs South Africa Key Players

Heinrich Klaasen

Seeing Glenn Phillips go about an effortless onslaught will give Heinrich Klaasen a lot of belief. His power is well known and clearing the Pakistani fences will be easy if he finds his range against the Afghanistan bowlers. He has had his struggles though taking on Rashid Khan, and that battle will be something to watch.

Stat: Klaasen was bowled by Rashid Khan in the 2023 World Cup. 

Mohammad Nabi

Mohammad Nabi finally makes it to the Champions Trophy after playing in division three for Afghanistan. He has been around from the worst to best for Afghanistan and he wants more. He has hinted that he could continue in ODIs after the tournament and his experience will be very important particularly with the ball in the absence of Ghazanfar. 

AFG vs SA Match Tips

There are likely to be some tough match-ups in the coming game. Afghanistan though will know that they are in for a challenge. South Africa gave them a hiding in the 2023 World cup and T20 World cup semi-final and are a tough side to beat.

Match Prediction: South Africa Will Win the Match