AFG vs SA: Afghanistan’s Playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025 Match Against South Africa

The craze for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy has returned after 8 years, featuring the top 8 teams. Teams are divided into two groups. The matches will be played in Pakistan and UAE. Afghanistan is in Group B along with South Africa, Australia, and England. Afghanistan has made a big statement in cricket. Now, they are aiming to prove themselves in the 50-over game. They made it to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup and finished sixth in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Afghanistan has surprised everyone by beating strong teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan qualified for the Champions Trophy for the first time. They have a tough road to qualify for the semis in the Champions Trophy. If Afghanistan players consistently perform in this tournament they can create history. Here is the best predicted playing xi of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran (Openers)

 The 23-year-old wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz is an aggressive opener for Afghanistan. He played 46 ODIs and scored 1769 runs with an impressive average of 40, including eight centuries and six half-centuries. He became the first batsman for Afghanistan to score a century on debut in a One Day International. His fearless approach will be crucial in giving the team a strong starts. Ibrahim Zadran has been the most dependable top-order batter for Afghanistan. He has scored 1440 runs in just 33 ODIs with an impressive average of 48, including five centuries and seven fifties. His ability to play long innings and handle pressure makes him a key player for Afghanistan.

Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (Top Order)

The right-handed batsman Rahmat Shah is one of Afghanistan’s most experienced batters. He has scored 3869 runs in 120 ODIs with an average of 35, with five centuries and 30 half-centuries. He can play the long innings and spin very well.

The star skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi has scored 2375 runs in 87 ODIs including 22 half-centuries. His steady presence at the crease helps stabilize the batting lineup, and his leadership will be key for Afghanistan in this tournament.

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Gulbadin Naib & Azmatullah Omarzai (Middle Order)

The young and talented all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai is a key player who can contribute with both bat and ball. He has scored 907 runs in just 36 ODIs with an impressive average of 48, with one century and seven half-centuries. He has also taken 30 wickets with the ball. 

The 33-year-old Gulbadin Naib is an experienced all-rounder in the Afghanistan squad. He played 86 ODI matches for Afghanistan and he scored 1314 runs with his bat and took 73 wickets. His aggressive batting style and medium-pace bowling make him a strong player in the squad.

Mohammad Nabi & Rashid Khan(All-Rounders) 

Mohammad Nabi is an attacking batting all-rounder with vast experience in international cricket. He played in 170 ODIs and scored 3618 runs, including two centuries and 17 fifties, and took 172 wickets. He has the ability to finish the game with his batting in the middle order. 

The well-known star Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner. He has taken 198 wickets in just 111 ODIs and scored 1346 runs, including five fifties. With his sharp leg-spin and aggressive batting, Rashid is a game-changer for Afghanistan. He was the leading wicket-taker in T20s with his excellent bowling skills. 

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Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi & Farid Malik (Bowlers)

The 20-year-old young and talented left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad was the key player for Afghanistan. He can trouble the star batter with his amazing spin bowling. He has played 10 ODIs and picked up nine wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi is Afghanistan’s most reliable pacer in this squad. He has played 39 ODIs and taken 50 wickets with excellent bowling skills. He can swing the ball on both sides and his variations can trouble the batters. 

The left-arm medium-pace Farid Malik is known for his ability to generate swing and bowl in the death overs. He played 19 ODIs and took 25 wickets. His control of the ball and variations make him a good option in the bowling lineup for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI:

 Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik

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