Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi speaks during a press conference ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy match against South Africa, in Karachi.
| Photo Credit: AP
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy match in Karachi on Friday (February 21, 2025).
“Looks a bit different then what we have been experiencing here, not sure how will it react. Will try to post a competitive total on the board,” said Bavuma during the toss.
“We have a lot of confidence in our bowling, consistency has been our strength. Just one spinner,” he added.
South Africa entered their opening match of the ODI tournament with three frontline pacers and a spinner in Keshav Maharaj.
They left out batsman Heinrich Klaasen in a precautionary measure as he recovers from an elbow injury.
This is Afghanistan’s first appearance ever in the Champions Trophy.
They named one frontline fast bowler in Fazalhaq Farooqi with two seaming all-rounders and three spinners, led by Rashid Khan.
Teams:
South Africa: 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.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad.
Published – February 21, 2025 02:39 pm IST
