AFG Vs SA: Afghanistan and South Africa are set to face each other in Match 3 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as both sides will be commencing their respective campaigns, alongside playing the first match of Group B at this year’s mega event.
Till 2023, this fixture would have looked heavily lopsided in the favour of the Proteas, but since the start of 2024, Afghanistan have gone on to become a giant-killer, and are now amongst the dark horses at this tournament.
Temba Bavuma’s men do not have good memories the last time they faced Afghanistan, as they were a subject to a historic ODI series defeat. However, the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-finalists avoided a series whitewash by comprehensively winning the 3rd & final ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
Here’s What Happened In The Last Meeting Between AFG & SA
Following the same trend they followed in the 2nd ODI, Afghanistan opted to bat first in the 3rd ODI. With the series already sealed, it was a game of experimentation for the Asian side, but South African bowlers finally came good in the series, and dealt early blows to the home side (UAE is the adopted home of Afghanistan for cricket matches).
A collective brilliance from Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, and Andile Phehlukwayo (all grabbing 2 wickets-each) restricted Afghanistan to 169, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz standing tall against Proteas with a gritty 89 off 94 deliveries, which consisted of 7 fours and 4 sixes.
In reply, South African batters did extremely well to see-off the danger from Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, and chased down the target of 170 within 33 overs.
Aiden Markram was the top-scorer for the side with an impressive unbeaten knock of 69, which included 4 fours and 3 sixes, and was complemented by the likes of Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Temba Bavuma, who managed to register their handy 20’s in the side’s 7-wicket win.
