Today, on February 21, 2025, South Africa and Afghanistan faced off in an exciting cricket match. It happened at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. This game was part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It was a big day for both teams in Group B. South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. The match started at 2:30 PM IST, and fans were eager to see who would win.
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, led his team onto the field with confidence. The batting lineup looked strong. Openers Tony de Zorzi and Reeza Hendricks started the innings. They wanted to set a good score. But Afghanistan’s bowlers had other plans. Mohammad Nabi, a key player, struck early. He dismissed Tony de Zorzi for just 11 runs in the 6th over. South Africa was at 30/1. The crowd cheered as Afghanistan got their first breakthrough.
Reeza Hendricks and Temba Bavuma then tried to steady the ship. They played smart shots and built a partnership. By the 28th over, South Africa reached 157 runs. But Nabi struck again. He got Bavuma out for 58 runs. It was a big moment for Afghanistan. Their spinners were doing well on the Karachi pitch. The pitch helped spin bowling, just as experts had predicted.
Rassie van der Dussen came to bat next. He played with patience and skill. He scored 52 runs before Noor Ahmad got him out. Noor bowled a tricky ball, and van der Dussen hit it to Hashmatullah Shahidi. South Africa was now 248/4 after 42 overs. The game was getting tight. Afghanistan’s bowlers kept the pressure on. Fazalhaq Farooqi also joined the attack. He took David Miller’s wicket for 14 runs. A great catch by Rahmat Shah in the deep made it happen. South Africa was 298/5 at that point.
Afghanistan’s team showed great energy. This was their first-ever Champions Trophy match. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi led from the front. Their spinners, like Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, troubled South Africa’s batsmen. The fielders supported well too. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the wicketkeeper, stayed alert behind the stumps. The Afghan team wanted to make a strong debut.
South Africa kept fighting. Their batsmen aimed for a big total. Players like Andile Phehlukwayo and Marco Jansen were still to come. They hoped to push the score past 350. The Karachi crowd was loud and excited. The weather was clear, with no rain to stop the game. Experts said the pitch would help spinners more as the match went on. This gave Afghanistan an edge with their spin attack.
Here’s a quick look at the key moments so far:
| Player | Team | Runs Scored | Wickets Taken | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temba Bavuma | South Africa | 58 | - | Out by Mohammad Nabi |
| Rassie van der Dussen | South Africa | 52 | - | Caught by Hashmatullah |
| Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | - | 2 | Took two big wickets |
| Noor Ahmad | Afghanistan | - | 1 | Got van der Dussen out |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Afghanistan | - | 1 | Dismissed David Miller |
Earlier reports said Karachi pitches favor high scores. The last game here saw New Zealand score 320 runs. South Africa wanted to do the same. But Afghanistan’s bowlers made it tough. Fans on X were talking about the match. Posts from @ACBofficials praised Nabi and Noor for their wickets. Others said South Africa’s batting was still strong.
This match is important for both teams. South Africa wants to win and lead Group B. Afghanistan hopes to surprise everyone in their first Champions Trophy. The game is still going as South Africa bats. Fans are waiting to see Afghanistan’s batting. Players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rashid Khan could make it exciting. The result will depend on how well Afghanistan chases the target.
For now, the score keeps climbing. South Africa is pushing hard. Afghanistan is bowling smartly. Cricket lovers are glued to their screens. Who will win? We’ll know soon as this thrilling match unfolds in Karachi today, February 21, 2025.
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