Afghanistan sets out to fulfill its dreams, while South Africa strives to overcome its nightmares

Big Picture: The Game Some Didn't Want South Africa to Play

Group B of the Champions Trophy kicks off with a match between Afghanistan, the surprise package of the last two editions, and South Africa, a team haunted by missed opportunities to lift the trophy.

Afghanistan makes its Champions Trophy debut buoyed by strong performances at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they narrowly missed a semi-final spot, and continued success in the format since then. They have won four out of five bilateral series—albeit two against Ireland and Zimbabwe, who are absent from this tournament—and reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals in between. A condensed event like this offers Afghanistan a prime chance to claim a major title. If they were to do so before South Africa, it would be a remarkable feat. To South Africa’s credit, they have won this competition before—back in its 1998 inaugural edition when it was known as the ICC Knockout and followed a single-elimination format. Back then, they won all three matches. This time, teams will have to play five matches, with a possible margin for one slip-up.

However, South Africa has struggled recently, losing three of their last four ODI series and suffering six consecutive defeats in the format. Despite that, they are not dwelling on their recent record. They have treated ODIs as a developmental phase, capping ten new players since the 2023 ODI World Cup. For the first time since then, they have assembled their strongest available squad, and as demonstrated in last year’s T20 World Cup, when at full strength, they are more formidable than many anticipate.

Both teams boast explosive batting line-ups. Afghanistan’s opening pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz provide firepower at the top, while South Africa’s strength lies in their middle order. Key battles will be between South Africa’s seamers and Afghanistan’s top order, as well as Afghanistan’s spinners against South Africa’s middle-order batsmen.

This fixture also carries political undertones. South Africa’s sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, opposed the match, citing concerns over the Taliban regime’s treatment of women and likening it to Apartheid. However, Cricket South Africa has taken a different stance, seeking out bilateral engagements with Afghanistan, including a series in September 2024 that was not originally part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP). They believe exclusion would not drive meaningful change. Similar debates will persist as Afghanistan faces England and Australia next, both of whom have faced internal calls to boycott these matches but have confirmed their participation. Afghanistan’s team remains caught in this broader discourse, with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi maintaining a focus on their game, stating, "We can only control the controllable."

Form Guide

South Africa: LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Afghanistan: WWWLW

In the Spotlight: South Africa’s Experience vs Afghanistan’s Spinners

South Africa’s white-ball coach, Rob Walter, has emphasized that key players will rise to the occasion, and this tournament will test that theory. David Miller and Kagiso Rabada, the only two squad members with over 100 ODI caps, will be central figures. Miller benefits from a robust top order setting the stage for him, while Rabada spearheads a bowling attack that may face challenging conditions. Both will be expected to provide leadership as South Africa chases silverware.

Afghanistan has recent experience playing South Africa, with several of their players featuring in SA20. Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan stood out, emerging as the top wicket-takers for their respective franchises—Noor for Durban Super Giants and Rashid jointly with Rabada for MI Cape Town. While South Africa’s approach to spin has improved, they still occasionally struggle against high-quality spin, a weakness Afghanistan will look to exploit.

Team News

South Africa may leave out both Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs in an already strong batting line-up. Aiden Markram’s offspin could allow them to play just one specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj, making room for all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen alongside two frontline quicks.

Probable South Africa XI:

1. Temba Bavuma (capt)

2. Tony de Zorzi

3. Rassie van der Dussen

4. Aiden Markram

5. Heinrich Klaasen (wk)

6. David Miller

7. Wiaan Mulder

8. Marco Jansen

9. Corbin Bosch

10. Keshav Maharaj

11. Kagiso Rabada

Afghanistan will welcome back Ibrahim Zadran, who last played in March before recovering from an ankle injury. With AM Ghazanfar ruled out due to a back problem, the team must choose between left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad and left-arm fingerspinner Nangeyalia Kharote, offering a variety of spin options alongside Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.

Probable Afghanistan XI:

1. Ibrahim Zadran

2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)

3. Rahmat Shah

4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt)

5. Azmatullah Omarzai

6. Gulbadin Naib

7. Mohammad Nabi

8. Rashid Khan

9. Noor Ahmad/Nangeyalia Kharote

10. Naveed Zadran

11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pitch and Conditions

Karachi has been a high-scoring venue, with New Zealand posting 320 in the tournament opener and Pakistan successfully chasing 353 against South Africa in a recent tri-series. More runs are expected, and South Africa’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, have discussed adopting defensive strategies to cope with the conditions. Afghanistan anticipates strong local support in Karachi due to the significant Afghan expatriate population.

Stats and Trivia

• Afghanistan has won their last four ODI series, including a 2-1 victory over South Africa in Sharjah in September 2024. That was their first series win against a top-five ranked team, though South Africa fielded a second-string side.

• Rashid Khan has taken nine wickets in four ODIs against South Africa at an average of 14.55. Since January 2023, against South African batters in this squad, he has six wickets at an economy of 3.46.

• Heinrich Klaasen boasts the highest ODI strike rate among South African batters with over 1,000 runs and ranks third globally with that cutoff.

Quotes

Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan captain:
"We recently beat them in Sharjah 2-1, so we carry that confidence. Right now, we are focused on this tournament and our own team. There is no pressure on us."

Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain:
"As with every tournament, we aim to reach the final and go all the way. The good thing is that we have experienced players, and there is no negativity about past ICC event performances. We have a lot of positivity and belief in our ability to succeed."