Debutants Afghanistan will aim to continue their impressive rise in white-ball cricket, while South Africa will once again attempt to shed the ‘chokers’ tag when the two sides kick off their Champions Trophy campaign in Karachi on Friday. The inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998, which was called the Knockout Trophy at that time, remains the only ICC men’s senior title that South Africa have secured despite having produced some of the world’s greatest cricketers, especially in limited-overs format. The Proteas boast of a well-balanced squad with a formidable batting lineup.

While skipper Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram will anchor the top order, the big-hitting trio of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs are well-equipped to provide the final flourish.

South Africa’s biggest challenge heading into the tournament is their depleted bowling attack as key pacers Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger, and Gerald Coetzee ruled out due to injuries.

Known for his pace, aggression, and the knack of striking at crucial moments, Kagiso Rabada will be the Proteas’ key weapon in both the powerplay and death overs.

Marco Jansen, too, will be expected to step up significantly. His ability to build pressure and deliver impactful spells will be crucial.

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi will be looking to rediscover his rhythm and confidence after a below-par showing in the recent tri-series.

In the spin department, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will have vital roles.

Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, South Africa have won only four of the 14 ODIs they have played. They enter the tournament on the back of a six-match losing streak.

But one cannot overlook the fact that they were not able to field a full strength team in any of these games due to multiple reasons.

Clubbed alongside an off-colour England, injury-plagued Australia and Afghanistan, South Africa have a good chance of advancing to the knockout stage. But the Afghans could prove to be the proverbial banana peel.

The war-torn nation has emerged as strong contenders to make the semifinals.

Their impressive performances in recent ICC events include dominant wins over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup and reaching the semifinals of the T20 World Cup last year.

They have proved more than once that they are no longer underdogs but a force to be reckoned with.

The Adghans have won four of their five bilateral series since the ODI World Cup, including one against South Africa in the UAE.

Their biggest strength expectedly remains their spin attack comprising the redoubtable Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and left-armers Noor Ahmad and Nangeyalia Kharote.

They will play all three group matches in Pakistan where spin will be a decisive factor.

Pacer Azmatullah Omarzai has been a key figure in Afghanistan’s ODI success, with his ability to swing the new ball providing them the powerplay edge.

Fazalhaq Farooqi will be another crucial weapon with ability to provide early breakthroughs and effective variations at the death.

In the batting department, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will once again be expected to provide a solid start.

Their weakness, however, lies in their middle order, which has often struggled to maintain momentum. This inconsistency has been a concern, and addressing it will be crucial for their success in the tournament.

South Africa: 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.

Afghanistan: 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.

SRH Schedule IPL 2025: Sunrisers Hyderabad will be entering the new Indian Premier League season hoping to go one better, after finishing runners-up in IPL 2024. Led by Pat Cummins, the men in orange and black looked rejuvenated in 2024, with the opening pair of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma proving to be the deadliest opening pair in the tournament. Those three, alongside Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Reddy, form a strong core retained by SRH. They also boosted their roster in the IPL 2025 mega auction with the acquistions of Mohammed Shami and Ishan Kishan among others.

Here is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s IPL 2025 schedule in full:

SRH vs RR – 3:30 PM IST –  March 23 – Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad

SRH vs LSG – 7:30 PM IST – March 23 – Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad

DC vs SRH – 3:30 PM IST – March 30 – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

KKR vs SRH – 7:30 PM IST – April 3 – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

SRH vs GT – 7:30 PM IST – April 6 – Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad

SRH vs PBKS – 7:30 PM IST – April 12 – Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad

MI vs SRH – 7:30 PM IST – April 17 – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

SRH vs MI – 7:30 PM IST – April 23 – Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad

CSK vs SRH – 7:30 PM IST – April 25 – MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

GT vs SRH – 7:30 PM IST – May 2 – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

SRH vs DC – 7:30 PM IST – May 5 – Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad

SRH vs KKR – 7:30 PM IST – May 10 – Uppal Stadium, Hyderabad

RCB vs SRH – 7:30 PM IST – May 13 – M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

SRH vs LSG – 7:30 PM IST – May 18 – Ekana Stadium, Lucknow

Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri Series 3rd ODI, Live Updates© AFP

Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri Series 3rd ODI, Live Streaming: After making a losing start, hosts Pakistan are all set to face South Africa in the third ODI of the ongoing tri-series in Karachi on Wednesday. Pakistan will be coming to this match after facing a big 78-run defeat against New Zealand. Their new opponents South Africa also had a similar fate as they also lost against the Kiwis by six wickets. With two wins, New Zealand have entered the final and will be facing the winner of today’s match in the summit clash on Friday.

Earlier on Monday, star cricketer Kane Williamson hit a brilliant century to take New Zealand into the tri-series final with a thumping six-wicket against South Africa. He also overshadowed South African opener Matthew Breetzke‘s record score on debut. Breetzke scored 150 — the highest score by any batter in his first one-day international.

When will the Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match be played?

The Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match will be played on Wednesday, February 12.

Where will the Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match be played?

The Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi.

What time will the Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match start?

The Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match will start at 2:30 PM (2 PM) toss.

Which TV channels will telecast the Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match?

The Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match?

The Pakistan vs South Africa, Tri-Nation Series 3rd ODI match will be streamed live on FanCode app and website.

(All the details are as per the information provided by the broadcaster)

Team South Africa in action© AFP

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan and South Africa wicket-keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen had a heated argument on the field during the second ODI between the two sides at Cape Town on Thursday. Though there isn’t a confirmation on the matter of the argument, it has been claimed that the South Africa star wasn’t happy with the condition of the ball being used. Rizwan, however, was in no mood to pay heed to Klaasen’s complaints and suggested he should continue playing. The clash went on for a while, prompting other players and the umpires to intervene too.

The conversation took place during the break between the conclusion of the 26th over and the start of the 27th. Someone was even heard telling Klaasen to “shut up and play”. Here’s the video:

CONTROVERSY IN CAPE TOWN

KLAASEN NOT HAPPY WITH THE BALL CONDITION AND RIZWAN SAID SOMETHING TO HIM IN ENGLISH#SAvPAK #tapmad #DontStopStreaming #CatchEveryMatch pic.twitter.com/zmg4hKCsmz

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 19, 2024

As for the match, Pakistan emerged victorious despite Klaasen’s valiant 97-run knock. The win gave Pakistan an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

It was their fifth successive series win – and the third for the Champions Trophy hosts in the southern hemisphere season, following victories in Australia and Zimbabwe.

“It’s a team game, from beginning to end all of the guys are involved and contributing,” said Rizwan.

Babar and Rizwan, whose combined 204 one-day caps exceeded the total of the rest of the team, batted soundly and sensibly before Babar was out with the total on 192 in the 33rd over.

Rizwan followed three overs later to a sensational diving catch off his own bowling by 18-year-old one-day debutant Kwena Maphaka.

But the stage had been set for some power hitting by the batsmen who followed, notably player of the match Kamran Ghulam, who hit five sixes in making 63 off 32 balls.

With a licence to go for their shots, Pakistan scored 161 runs in the last 17 overs while losing their remaining six wickets.

“Me and Babar started slowly. We were looking for 300 but we got 320-plus. I have never seen Kamran Ghulam play an innings like that,” said Rizwan.

Left-arm fast-bowler Maphaka took heavy punishment but picked up four wickets while conceding 72 runs.

South Africa scored more briskly than Pakistan for most of their innings but although all of their first six batsmen made starts, only Klaasen made a significant score.

Klaasen, who made 86 in a losing cause in the first match in Paarl on Tuesday, hit eight fours and four sixes off 74 balls. He was the last man out, caught on the deep midwicket boundary.

With AFP Inputs

SA vs PAK 2nd ODI Live Scorecard© AFP

SA v PAK LIVE Scorecard, 1st ODI© AFP

South Africa vs Pakistan 3rd T20I Live Score Updates© AFP

SA vs PAK 3rd T20I Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch© AFP