AFG Vs SA: Star Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen shockingly misses out on the crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixture vs Afghanistan, as the wicket-keeper batsman has reportedly sustained a discomfort in his left elbow.
South Africa will be missing the servies of their talisman, who has arguably been the side’s best batsman since 2023 in white-ball cricket, and will be huge miss in the middle-order for the Proteas.
READ HERE: Champions Trophy 2025: South Africa Opt To Bat First Vs Afghanistan, Playing XI Details Inside
Heinrich Klaasen is not the only batsman missing out for South Africa, as star all-rounder Tristan Stubbs too, has been benched for the fixture.
Given the strength of Afghanistan’s bowling attack, resting two of their most in-form batters comes in as a huge surprise for fans aroundthe world.
“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,” said Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain, during the toss.
“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,” he added.
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.
