On Friday, Afghanistan and South Africa will lock horns in the third match of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. The much anticipated contest will take place at the National Stadium in Karachi.
On the back of what has been an inspiring growth in the last decade, Afghanistan has made it to the Champions Trophy for the first time and will be marking their arrival in the clash against the Proteas. The Afghan Atalans finished in the top eight of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, securing their maiden Champions Trophy spot and managed to win four of their last five ODI series since then.
Meanwhile, South Africa, who recently was part of the Tri-Nation series in Pakistan, are coming into the tournament on the back of some very poor performances, losing four of their last five bilateral outings after making it to the World Cup Semis in 2023. Captain Temba Bavuma and his men will be looking to turn things around and be at their best from the first match of what can be a special next few weeks for them.
AFG vs SA: Historical Overview In ODIs and Champions Trophy
Afghanistan and South Africa have been playing ODIs against each other since very recently. The two countries came up against each other for the first time during the 2019 World Cup league match in Cardiff and have faced each other only 5 times in ODIs till date.
Having said that, South Africa has the upper hand, winning three of those five encounters with Afghanistan catching up quickly with two wins, recently. Notably, this will be the first time these two sides will be locking horns in a Champions Trophy tie.
Afghanistan And South Africa Squads For Champions Trophy
Afghanistan’s Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
South Africa’s Squad
Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
Top Run-Scorers in AFG vs SA ODIs
We have considered only the active players for this section.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 219 runs
The young keeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds the first name in the list of batters with highest runs from both the sides in this fixture. The explosive opener has amassed a total of 219 runs against South Africa at an average of 54.75, including a century and a half century.
Azmatullah Omarzai – 210 runs
Rising Afghanistan star-all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai was one of the key reasons behind Afghanistan’s latest wins against South Africa. In total, Omarzai has scored 210 runs at an average of 210, including two half-centuries in the fixtures between these two countries.
Aiden Markram – 117 runs
Aiden Markram leads the scoring chart for South Africa in the matches involving these two sides. In four innings played against Afghanistan, the ace batter has scored a total of 117 runs at an average of 39 which includes a half-century as well.
Top Wicket-Takers In AFG vs SA ODIs
We have considered only the active players for this section.
Rashid Khan – 9 wickets
The superstar Rashid Khan features at the top of the list of highest wicket takers in Afghanistan vs South Africa ODIs. The leg-spinner has managed to take 9 wickets at an average 14.55 in just 4 matches which includes a 5-fer.
Lungi Ngidi – 6 wickets
Lungi Ngidi has managed a second place in the list of highest wicket-takers in the AFG vs SA fixture. In a total of 4 matches, the right-arm seamer has bagged 6 wickets at an average of 24.50 and a strike-rate of 28.5.
Fazalhaq Farooqi – 4
Afghanistan’s lead pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi finds himself third in the list of highest wicket-takers in the fixtures involving these two sides. In two matches he played against South Africa, the left-arm pacer has 4 wickets at an average of 13.25 and a strike-rate of 4.81.
AFG vs SA Key Stats
Afghanistan’s Key Records
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz in ODIs vs SA in 2024 – 194 runs, 64.7 average, 1 100 and 1 50.
- Azmatullah Omarzai has an average of 52.12 with over 400 runs in ODIs since 2024. Additionally, he has been terrific with the ball, possessing a 18.56 average with the new ball in powerplay since 2024.
- Afghanistan has a strike-rate of 66.60 and an average of 27.63 against left-arm spinners in ODIs since 2024.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi have below-par numbers inside the powerplay in ODIs since 2024 – 12 Innings, 8 Wickets, 33 Average and a strike rate of 26.67.
- Nangeyalia Kharote has taken 11 wickets at an average of 16.55 and a strike-rate of 26.9 in ODIs for Afghanistan since 2024.
South Africa’s Key Records
- Temba Bavuma has found form at the very right time as he scored 102 runs in two games in the recently concluded Tri-Nation series.
- Heinrich Klaasen has scored 351 runs at a strike-rate of 130, including all half-centuries in ODIs since 2024.
- South Africa batters have an average of 20.29 with 14 dismissals in 7 innings against left-arm pacers in ODIs since 2024.
- South Africa have struggled with the ball as they possess the worst bowling average of 82.88 amongst all the teams since ODI cricket came back to Pakistan.
- Tristan Stubbs has scored 61 runs at an average of 20.33 and a strike-rate of 85.92 against spinners in ODIs since 2024.
Records Which Could Be Broken In AFG vs SA
- Rashid Khan is just two wickets away from completing 200 wickets in ODIs and becoming the joint fifth fastest bowler to do so in history.
- Lungi Ngidi needs three more wickets to complete his 100 ODI wickets and become the third fastest South African fast bowler to do so.
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
