Afghanistan vs South Africa Live Score, Champions Trophy: De Zorzi, Rickleton open for SA; AFG eye early breakthrough

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: Both teams last met at an ICC event during last year’s T20 World Cup, when they faced each other in the semi-finals. South Africa reigned supreme, winning by nine wickets with 67 balls to spare. Afghanistan have won eight of their last 10 completed ODIs, including a 2-1 series win vs South Africa in September. They are in good form, and will look for a strong start!

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: South Africa – Ryan Rickelton(w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Rassie van der Dussen

Afghanistan – Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Ikram Alikhil, Naveed Zadran, Nangeyalia Kharote

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: Rashid’s threat, however, was compounded with the operation of youngster Allah Ghazanfar from the other end. Ghazanfar looked ready to be a star, with this as his breakout tournament, but a long-term back injury means they won’t have his services in this tournament. They still have a stock of good spinners in Mujeed Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad, who will need to step up if they want to keep a clamp on the Proteas’ scoring rate at this batting haven.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: Afghanistan are no longer in a position where their hopes begin and end with Rashid Khan’s wickets, but that doesn’t mean the phenomenal leg-spinner isn’t a threat to any team he faces. Even in the series against South Africa last year, he led the wicket-taking tally, including a five-fer. Add to that all the experience he has against South Africa’s batters in franchise leagues around the world, and there is no question that the wily leggie will have something up his sleeve for some of the strongest hitters in world cricket.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: Of all the star names, one wouldn’t have expected the ICC ODI Player of the Year of 2024 to be Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, but what else can be the case when you have a player averaging 52 with bat and 20 with ball, with a CV that involves some crucial match-winning performances on both fronts? He might be one of the less-heralded players to watch in this tournament, a true difference-maker.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: On the bowling front, despite some injuries to the likes of Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje, it is still a fearsome pace attack for the South African team. Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder, and Corbin Borsch form a strong unit, but it is Kagiso Rabada who will be the star.

With names such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins out of this tournament, Rabada is the best pacer any team has in their ranks. It comes down to him to provide the performances that this tag warrants.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: For South Africa, the biggest threat is the power that is packed into the middle order. Tristan Stubbs, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller is certainly the strongest middle order in the tournament, in terms of six-hitting power and the ability to stretch those 300s to 350s, 350s to 400s.

However, there is definitely a vulnerability to spin in that unit. And who likelier to exploit it than Rashid Khan?

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: Afghanistan have only faced off against the Proteas on five occasions in ODI cricket, once in each of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, and then more recently in their first-ever series in a three-match bout in Sharjah in the summer of 2024.

Afghanistan sent a message to their opposition in that series, dominating them in two matches to win that series in emphatic fashion. Don’t think the result of this match is pre-decided.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: For the first time in their history, Afghanistan have qualified as one of the premier eight teams to make it to the Champions Trophy. For a country in which cricket plays such an important role, this is a big landmark — but that is not to say they will be intimidated by the bright lights. Afghanistan are here to compete, and in a weakened group, in Asian conditions, are solid bets to qualify as well.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: The Proteas fell short in a heartbreaker of a final in Barbados last year, losing to India despite looking in pole position to win their first senior men’s ICC trophy. They have also gone on to qualify for the WTC final later this year at Lord’s. Across formats, this team has been consistent and powerful — but with nothing to show for it. They are due, and in a weakened group, they know there can be no excuses.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: After yesterday’s match took us to Dubai, we are back at the National Stadium in Karachi, where Pakistan opened proceedings for the tournament, but succumbed to a hefty loss against New Zealand. The teams will know what to expect: fairly flat conditions, plenty on offer for the batters, a hard day’s work for the bowlers. There won’t be any hiding for either of these teams, that’s for sure.

South Africa vs Afghanistan LIVE Score: Welcome back to Karachi, where we continue our live coverage of the ICC Champions Trophy, as Group B action begins! A rematch of the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal, as Afghanistan make their first appearance in the history of this tournament, up against a South Africa team hungry for some silverware. Stay tuned!