Predicting Afghanistan’s playing XI for their clash against South Africa in the Champions Trophy 2025

Afghanistan will be playing their first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 against South Africa. The game is set to take place at the National Stadium in Karachi on the 21st of February at 2:30 PM (IST). Both teams have some of the best players in the world in their team. Afghanistan has world-class players like Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and others.

On the other hand, South Africa has players like Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and others in their lineup. Both Afghanistan and SA start as the favourites to qualify for the semifinal of the CT 2025 from Group B. For Afghanistan, the key would be to focus on their strengths and make the most of them. One can expect a good match between the two teams.

Here is the probable Afghanistan’s playing XI for their match against South Africa in the Champions Trophy 2025 –

Top Order  

Afghanistan’s top order could feature the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Hashmatullah Shahidi. Gurbaz and Zadran are likely to open the innings. While Rahmanullah is an aggressor from his end, Ibrahim anchors the innings from his end. To follow them could likely be the team’s skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi. He is slow as a batter and can lead the side well.

Middle Order  

Afghanistan’s middle order could feature the likes of Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Gulbadin Naib. At number 4, Alikhil could be the player who can act as a floater between the top-order batters and finishers. Omarzai is one of the best all-rounders in the world in ODIs. He can bowl in the Powerplay overs and bat well in the middle overs. Naib can finish the innings well and can offer some bowling.

Lower Middle Order  

Afghanistan’s lower order has two of their greatest players Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. Both were highly impactful in making cricket popular in Afghanistan. Nabi can finish the innings well, lower down the order and be accurate in his spell of 10 overs. Rashid is one of the best bowlers in the world. Additionally, he has improved his batting and can turn out to be one of the best finishers in the tournament.

Bowlers  

Bowling is unarguably Afghanistan’s strongest forte and the Asian side would love to make the most of it. Apart from the All-rounders like Azmatullah, Naib, Nabi, and Rashid Khan, Afghanistan has the likes of Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Farid Malik. Farooqi is one of the best bowlers in the world at the moment. While he can claim wickets, Farid can help him at the other end with the new ball. Noor Ahmad can claim wickets in the middle overs along with Nabi, Rashid, and others.

Afghanistan’s playing XI for their clash against South Africa in the Champions Trophy 2025 –

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)

Ibrahim Zadran

Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)

Ikram Alikhil

Azmatullah Omarzai

Gulbadin Naib

Mohammad Nabi

Rashid Khan

Noor Ahmad

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Farid Malik

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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