The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 continues with an intriguing clash between Afghanistan vs South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. While South Africa enters the contest as favorites, Afghanistan has built a reputation as giant slayers in ICC events and will be eager to make an impact.
South Africa boasts a formidable squad, with Temba Bavuma leading an explosive batting lineup featuring Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Aiden Markram. Their fast-bowling attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, is one of the most dangerous in world cricket.
On the other hand, Afghanistan’s strength lies in their world-class spin attack, with Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman posing a serious threat on a Dubai surface that favors turn. If their batting lineup, led by Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Hashmatullah Shahidi, can fire, an upset could be on the cards.
Let’s dive into the match preview, Dream11 fantasy team, head-to-head stats, pitch report, and prediction for AFG vs SA in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
🏏 Match Details: AFG vs SA, ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Match: Afghanistan vs South Africa (AFG vs SA)
- Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Date: February 21, 2025
- Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
- Time: 2:30 PM IST
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar
🏆 AFG vs SA: Head-to-Head Record ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Overall ODIs
- Total Matches: 3
- South Africa Wins: 3
- Afghanistan Wins: 0
Head-to-Head in ICC Events
- Total Matches: 2
- South Africa Wins: 2
- Afghanistan Wins: 0
South Africa has dominated Afghanistan in past encounters, but Afghanistan has significantly improved and will look to turn the tables in this crucial fixture.
🏏 AFG vs SA: Probable Playing XI
🇦🇫 Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Gulbadin Naib
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan
- Nangeyalia Kharote / Naveed Zadran
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
🇿🇦 South Africa’s Predicted Playing XI
- Temba Bavuma (C)
- Tony de Zorzi / Ryan Rickleton
- Tristan Stubbs
- Aiden Markram
- Heinrich Klaasen (WK)
- David Miller
- Wiaan Mulder
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Marco Jansen
- Tabraiz Shamsi
🔥 AFG vs SA: Dream11 Fantasy Team
Fantasy cricket players should focus on the match conditions, recent form, and team balance when selecting their Dream11 team.
🏏 Wicketkeeper:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Afghanistan’s most aggressive top-order batsman and a proven match-winner.
- Heinrich Klaasen – One of the best middle-order hitters in world cricket.
🦸 Batsmen:
- Temba Bavuma – South Africa’s captain and a reliable top-order anchor.
- Aiden Markram – A consistent performer with both bat and ball.
- Ibrahim Zadran – Afghanistan’s most dependable ODI batsman.
- David Miller – The ultimate finisher who can take the game away in the death overs.
🌟 All-Rounders:
- Mohammad Nabi – Brings experience, spin bowling, and finishing ability.
- Marco Jansen – A dangerous left-arm pacer who can also contribute with the bat.
🎯 Bowlers:
- Rashid Khan – Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner with the ball.
- Kagiso Rabada – South Africa’s most experienced fast bowler.
- Tabraiz Shamsi – A wicket-taking threat in spin-friendly Dubai conditions.
🏆 Captain: Aiden Markram
⭐ Vice-Captain: Rashid Khan
👉 Make final changes in your Dream11 team after the toss to factor in playing conditions.
🌍 Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
🏟️ Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
- The surface in Dubai offers good bounce for pacers in the early overs.
- Spinners will play a crucial role, especially in the middle overs.
- Batting becomes easier under lights, making chasing preferable.
- A score of around 270-290 will be competitive.
🌦️ Weather Report
- Hot and dry conditions in Dubai.
- No rain interruptions expected.
- Dew factor could come into play in the second innings.
🔮 Who Will Win SA vs AFG?
South Africa appears to be the stronger side on paper, with a well-balanced team and proven match-winners in both batting and bowling. However, Afghanistan’s spin attack, led by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, could be a game-changer on the slow Dubai pitch.
🏆 Prediction: South Africa 60% – Afghanistan 40%
If Afghanistan can post a competitive total of 280+, their spinners could put South Africa under real pressure. However, if South Africa bats second, they will have the upper hand.
🔥 Key Players to Watch in AFG vs SA
Afghanistan
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Explosive opener capable of quick starts.
- Rashid Khan – The ultimate match-winner with the ball.
- Mohammad Nabi – Brings experience and all-round abilities.
South Africa
- Aiden Markram – A solid middle-order batsman who can also bowl.
- Kagiso Rabada – A strike bowler who thrives in big matches.
- Heinrich Klaasen – A deadly finisher in ODIs.
🏁 Final Thoughts
The Afghanistan vs South Africa (AFG vs SA) clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a competitive battle. While South Africa’s strong pace attack and power-packed batting lineup make them favorites, Afghanistan’s world-class spin attack could make this game much closer than expected.
For Dream11 fantasy teams, consider picking key performers like Aiden Markram, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Mohammad Nabi.
🔥 Stay tuned for live match updates, toss results, and expert analysis!