AFG Vs SA: South Africa Win Toss, Opt To Bat First Against Afghanistan In Match 3 Of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Both sides are playing their first match of the tournament, and in the process, also commence the fixtures of Group B. Their last meeting ended in a win for South Africa, but it was Afghanistan who sealed their first-ever ODI bilateral series win over the Proteas.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in Match 3 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi on Sunday, January 19.

Both teams are playing their first match of the tournament, and in the process, also commence the fixtures of Group B. Their last meeting ended in a win for South Africa, but it was Afghanistan who sealed their first-ever ODI bilateral series win over the Proteas.

The surface promises assistance to spinners, and there is a bit of grass on the surface, thereby, enabling batters to expect some assistance throughout the match.

Boundaries will be 67m and 62m on the square regions, and it will not be easy to hit down the ground, as the boundary towards the long-on and off regions is 79m.

Playing XI's

South Africa Playing XI: Ryan Rickelton (wk), 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 Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Here's What The Captains Said During Toss

Temba Bavuma (South Africa Captain):

"We will bat first. This wicket looks a bit different from what we have been experiencing here in Pakistan. We can't be sure how it will react, so we need to assess it first. Runs on the board would be the key here. Hopefully, we can get a competitive score on the board."

"We have a lot of confidence in the bowling attack as they have lacked consistency, but they have been our strength. Today, we have gone for a lone spinner in (Tabriaz) Shamsi, and the rest are seamers. We will to assess and see what is a good score, a bit tricky to say now."

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan Captain):

"If we had won the toss, we also wanted to bat first. Toss is not in our hands. We can play good cricket. There are a lot of things. We have played quality cricket against them in Sharjah. Hopefully, we do well and beat them."

"This wicket should suit our spinners as well. I will be more happy if we start well. We need to pick up wickets with the new ball and take that momentum to the middle overs. I will be happy if we do this and restrict them."