Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa Battles Injury Woes Against Afghanistan in Group B

Karachi, Pakistan — The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy kicked off today with South Africa winning the toss and opting to bat first against Afghanistan in their Group B match. The contest began at 9:00 AM local time on February 21, 2025, and promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams grappling with their own challenges.

South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, revealed pivotal absences from their lineup, as wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen and batsman Tristan Stubbs are sidelined due to injury concerns. Klaasen, in particular, has been ruled out as a precaution due to a soft tissue injury in his left elbow. Bavuma has expressed uncertainty regarding the pitch conditions, stating, “Wickets look different from how it generally does in Pakistan. Not really sure how it’ll react. We have to assess the wicket, hope to get a good score on the board.”

The pitch report highlighted a partly cloudy day, with winds fluctuating. Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn commented on the conditions, indicating that while the pitch is hard and features some grass, cracks are present. These factors could provide bowlers with sideways movement, particularly if the ball lands on the grassy patches during play. Despite these concerns, it remains a potentially favorable batting surface.

On the other side, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi noted his side’s eagerness to start the tournament strongly. He remarked, “If we’d have won the toss, we’d have batted too. Our focus is on how to start well. We played some quality cricket against SA in Sharjah.” Shahidi emphasized the importance of their spinners in the match and expressed confidence in securing early wickets.

As the match unfolds, Afghanistan will look to capitalize on South Africa’s recent form, which has seen them lose three of their last four bilateral ODI series and struggle in their last six ODIs. Despite these challenges, Afghanistan’s recent performance, including a strong showing at the 2023 ODI World Cup, positions them as an exciting potential contender for their first major title.

Firdose Moonda, providing match insights, expressed optimism for the Afghan squad, stating that they enter the tournament with dreams of victory, while South Africa faces the daunting task of managing their recent defeats. With both teams motivated by contrasting narratives, this matchup sets the stage for a captivating start to the Champions Trophy 2025.